Guwahati, Nov. 8 -- The Sustainable Development Forum Nagaland (SDFN) has expressed solidarity with the Adi people and other local communities in Arunachal Pradesh's Siang valley opposing the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), calling on the state and central governments to withdraw additional armed security deployments from the affected areas, release detained protesters and initiate an independent inquiry into security forces' excesses.

In a press statement, the Kohima-based forum said development projects must not compromise indigenous rights, ancestral lands, cultural heritage and ecological integrity. It expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Siang valley, citing the deployment of security forces,...