Parliamentary Secretary for Hydro Power R T Khunjuju in a statement said that it has to be understood that engaging security forces is not to disturb peace but to maintain law and order for greater interest of majority of its citizens.
"Deployment of security forces for conduction of public hearings is a decision taken by the local administration in view of threat perception of violence or destruction of public properties as witnessed earlier. This is only a preventive measure and not a tactic to create fear psychosis amongst the public as alleged," he added.
On the contrary, law and order was broken and peace breached during the last public hearing on Lower Siang Hydro Project by a section of anti-project protesters, who burned down the pandal erected for the hearing, damaged vehicles as well as furniture and destroyed several houses including few belonging to innocent villagers, he pointed out.
"The avoidable violence of April 17 last may have prompted the administration to take precautionary measures this time around," Khunjuju said.
"Our government does not believe in confrontations but mutual understanding and respect to evolve a solution to each and every problem, no matter how big or small," he said.
Reiterating that public hearing is a routine exercise that is mandatory for implementation of any major project involving creation of large infrastructure, he said it is a platform for the people to present their views, apprehensions, doubts, etc that may be for or against the project and get them clarified from concerned authorities.