Arunachal Pradesh: United Tani Army Calls for Ban on Mega Dams and Other Reforms

ITANAGAR: The United Tani Army (UTA) was earlier known as National Socialist Council of Taniland, and it strongly protested the mega dams being built in Arunachal Pradesh by seeking the cancellation of all agreements signed with hydropower developers.

In a statement, recently, UTA added that future hydropower projects must be focused on the welfare of the locals and conducted with comprehensive stakeholder consultations.

The group aligned its stance with the United Nations resolution advocating against the construction of large dams, urging the state to adopt a complete ban on such projects. "The construction of mega dams should be totally banned in Arunachal," the UTA declared, reiterating its commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.

Other than environmental advocacy, the UTA presented several socio-political issues. The demand included forcing non-indigenous individuals with Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificates to give up their posts and leave the state within three months. The group argues that only indigenous people are allowed to hold these certificates; in this way, the rights and interests of indigenous communities are preserved and represented.

The UTA also threatened the Arunachal Pradesh government to expedite efforts in solving the long-standing boundary dispute with its neighboring Assam. Issuing a warning of possible action, the group declared it will "take matters into its own hands" if the government fails to address the issue promptly.

The UTA reiterated a demand that the Chakma and Hajong refugee communities should be relocated from Arunachal Pradesh. For decades, there has been controversy about whether these communities should stay on in India. Both Chakma and Hajong were allowed to come into India for temporary residence and have now stayed there for decades, without the right to legal or cultural permanent settlement in the state, according to the UTA.

After a period of dormancy, the UTA has re-entered public dialogue, focusing on pressing issues impacting Arunachal Pradesh. Their demands reflect a blend of environmental, cultural, and political concerns that aim to preserve the interests of the state's indigenous population while addressing broader challenges.

With this statement gaining publicity from the UTA, it opens the future development and governance in Arunachal Pradesh for debate from policymakers to the grassroots levels and the civil society at large.

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