The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF), a confederation of churches in the north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, has written to Chief Minister Pema Khandu urging the state government to hold talks with the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), a group leading local opposition to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The forum has offered to broker the first round.
SUMP is a proposed 11,000-megawatt hydroelectric dam on the Siang river. The state government calls it a national project that would help offset a larger dam China plans upstream.
The letter, dated October 25, 2026, a copy of which is available with Christian Today India, is signed by ACF President James Techi Tara. Its subject line reads “Appeal for Peaceful Dialogue on the SUMP Issue in the Siang Region and Offer of ACF’s Good Offices for Mediation.”
In the letter, Tara said the forum “expresses its deep concern regarding the prevailing tensions” over the project and appealed to the chief minister’s office “to take timely and constructive initiatives to maintain peace and promote dialogue among all concerned parties.”
The letter says the issue involves “development, indigenous rights and concerns, agricultural livelihoods and the future of the communities in the Siang region.” Such matters, it says, require “a sensitive, transparent and consultative approach where the concerns of affected communities are heard with respect and addressed through peaceful and democratic means.”
The forum asked the government “to initiate a process of meaningful and constructive dialogue with the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) along with other concerned stakeholders to address apprehensions, reduce misunderstandings and prevent further escalation of tensions.”
The ACF describes itself as “an ecumenical Christian organization committed to peace, reconciliation, unity and the welfare of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.” Ecumenical means bringing together churches of different denominations.
The forum offered its “good offices”, a diplomatic term for a neutral party’s help in bringing opposing sides to the table. It would “facilitate and mediate preliminary peace talks between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum, subject to the willingness and consent of both parties.”
On the merits of the project, the ACF stays neutral. “ACF does not seek to advocate for or against the SUMP project through this initiative,” it states. “Our proposed role would be strictly limited to facilitating communication, encouraging mutual understanding, building confidence and helping establish a peaceful platform for dialogue.” Any substantive decisions on the project, it adds, “would remain with the competent authorities and the concerned stakeholders through the appropriate legal and democratic processes.”
Tara made two requests of the chief minister. The first was to consider accepting the offer. The second was to nominate “an appropriate government representative to coordinate with ACF and the representatives of SIFF for exploring a mutually acceptable framework for dialogue.” If the government agrees, the ACF “would be willing to consult both sides and work towards arranging an initial meeting at a mutually convenient time and venue.”
The forum frames the offer as Christian service. “In the spirit of Christian service and our broader commitment to the common good,” the letter says, the ACF extends it. It further says: “A peaceful resolution through dialogue would help preserve social harmony, strengthen public confidence and protect the unity and brotherhood of our people.”
The ACF also names the Adi community, an indigenous people of the Siang valley. “The future of the Siang region and the welfare of Adi community deserve an approach founded on patience, trust, dignity and peaceful engagement,” it says.
“We firmly believe that peace must precede progress, dialogue must replace confrontation and mutual understanding must guide the resolution of public concerns,” Tara wrote.
The letter closes with a hope that the chief minister will give the appeal “favourable consideration” and says the ACF “stands ready to extend its cooperation in this endeavour in the larger interest of peace, unity and harmony in our beloved state.” Its final line is a wish that “understanding prevail among all parties and peace be restored and sustained in the Siang region.”
