A referendum rally was held at the Pasighat gidi notko (festival ground) on Sunday, where eminent citizens representing various Adi community organisations from different districts gathered to discuss the activities of the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK). The rally, chaired by retired commissioner Anong Jonkey, focused on the ABK (Apex) byelaws and the functions of its executive body, as well as the alleged activities of the ABK’s sitting president, Tanon Tatak. Organising secretary Thomas Borang explained that the objective of the rally was to address the problems faced by the community’s people living in the state, which the ABK functionaries led by Tatak have failed to do.
Borang appealed to the community members to stand together and work dedicatedly to solve their problems. Several speakers, including organising committee vice president Tamat Gamoh, retired SP Opir Paron, ABK’s vice president Tabung Ering, general secretary Geyong Tayeng, and advisers of the apex body, criticised Tatak’s role, alleging that he has no clear stand on the controversial Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which is adversely affecting the unity and integrity of the Adi society. The public rally unanimously resolved to demand Tatak’s resignation on moral grounds within the next 15 days.
However, when contacted, Tatak dismissed all allegations levelled against him, terming them ‘false, fabricated, and created by a section of people with vested interests.’ Tatak affirmed that he would not quit the post, citing the support of the majority of the executive members of the ABK and the backing of the chief adviser and the chief patron. He stated that he would only consider resignation through the process of impeachment by the executive body.
