Editor,
As affected residents of the proposed Siang multipurpose mega dam, our hearts are shattered and our souls cry out in anguish. The mere thought of losing our ancestral lands, our homes, and our heritage is a devastating blow that leaves us with sleepless and restless.
We still remember the solemn assurance made by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and other ministers that the project wouldn’t proceed without public consent. But today, those words seem like a distant memory.
How can we sacrifice the land that has nurtured us, the roots that hold us, and the identity that defines us? Our land is more than just soil; it is the legacy of our ancestors, a piece of heaven we call home, and the very fabric of our existence. It is where our stories are woven, our traditions thrive, and our culture is preserved.
Giving up our land feels like being asked to kill a part of ourselves – like killing our own mother – unbearable, unthinkable, and unforgivable. Can anyone imagine the pain of watching their home be torn apart, their memories shattered, and their future thrown into uncertainty?
Today, our families live in fear and grief, tormented by the thought of losing everything – our land, our home, and our very identity. Our mothers weep for our home. Our fathers are consumed by restlessness. Our brothers and sisters lie awake in anxiety. Meals go untouched, and minds are clouded with dread. We are peacefully protesting, pleading for our rights – yet our voices echo in a void, unheard.
If democracy is truly ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people’, why do our cries fall on deaf ears?
We are not just fighting for land. We are fighting for our existence, our dignity, and our future. If standing up for our heritage and identity is called selfishness, we accept that label with pride. No matter how enticing the promises of compensation may be, we cannot sacrifice our home at any cost. Our land – our home – is priceless, and our attachment to it is immeasurable. No one can ever compensate for that loss.
We urge the government to hear our voices, to see our tears, and to feel our pain. We seek to preserve our land, our heritage, our home, and our identity. We wish to be heard, understood, and protected.
Let not development come at the cost of our destruction.
An affected resident