ITANAGAR : Ebo Mili and Nilim Mahanta have said that the image of the dam painted in the 'Wall of Harmony' on the State Civil Secretariat boundary wall was completely 'irrelevant' in context to the celebration of 50 years of Arunachal Pradesh.
Both were arrested in the case for defacing the 'Wall of Harmony' under relevant sections of the IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act and were granted bail and released from the central jail, Jollang here on Tuesday.
Speaking to the reporters, Mili said that the present BJP government in the state was hell-bent in glorifying the construction of dams in the state, which was completely irrelevant to be depicted through murals in the Wall of Harmony. The state has sufficient numbers of dams. He said that his reaction was personal as the image of the dams had hurt his sentiments.
Mili also said that his intention was never to hurt the sentiments of the artist who made the mural, as it had been beautifully painted. Moreover, the artists were paid for their job. "Though there was a mixed response from the people of state on our action, there was much support from the people of Assam. I thank all those people for their support," he said.
Meanwhile, Nilim Mahanta also said that his action was not against the artist community but to protest against dam construction. He said development was necessary but in a sustainable way.
He said an artist is bound to be an activist in some or the other way. If someone is working against nature, someone has to raise voice to protect nature and balance development and nature.
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