Guwahati: Violence erupted on Friday during a 12-hour bandh against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, with protesters setting fire to an NHPC office in Pasighat after security forces fired tear gas shells and resorted to a lathicharge to disperse demonstrators. Two police vehicles were also set ablaze as tensions escalated, and several protesters, including women and students, sustained injuries in the police action.
The shutdown, which began at 5 am, was called across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts to oppose the mega dam project, with protesters also demanding the release of 10 arrested activists and the withdrawal of security forces deployed in the region.
Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom said 150 to 200 protesters from Geku and Komkar areas of Upper Siang district gathered at Dite-Dime in Siang district around 7 am in support of the bandh. He alleged that the crowd attempted to vandalise police barricades, hurled stones and violated prohibitory orders, forcing police to fire tear gas. “Four women were injured in the clash and admitted to a hospital,” another police officer said.
Protesters, however, alleged that the police response was excessive, claiming that a peaceful protest turned violent only after personnel used the lathicharge and tear gas indiscriminately. Several demonstrators were reportedly struck by tear gas shells and suffered breathing difficulties, intensifying demands for an independent investigation into the use of force.
Violence also broke out near Ranaghat Bridge at Mebo in East Siang district, where several people were injured and at least seven vehicles were damaged, officials said. A cameraman working for a local news channel was reportedly hurt after a tear gas shell hit his leg. East Siang SP Pankaj Lamba did not respond to repeated calls seeking comment.
The shutdown disrupted normal life across Siang and Upper Siang districts and parts of East Siang, with shops and business establishments closed and residents largely staying indoors. Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo maintained that the bandh was peaceful in his district, while the Siang SP said it passed off peacefully elsewhere in his jurisdiction.
The bandh was called jointly by the Adi Bane Kebang United, SUMP Affected Area Youth Association, Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing and Adi Galo Welfare Society. Besides the release of the arrested activists, they are demanding the reinstatement of suspended gaon buras (village headmen), an immediate halt to all pre-feasibility activities for the project, and the withdrawal of paramilitary and central forces from the region.
The confrontation has put the state government’s earlier assurances under scrutiny. Chief Minister Pema Khandu, at a meeting with the Adi Baane Kebang Youth Wing and the Adi Students’ Union on October 13, had promised to release detained youths, withdraw FIRs and scale down the security deployment.
The government maintains that the project is primarily intended to store and manage water in the Siang basin, particularly in view of China’s proposed mega dam upstream. However, the strategic argument has done little to ease local opposition over land, livelihoods and indigenous rights.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee demanded an independent inquiry into the use of tear gas. Spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham said the Dite-Dime incident raised serious concerns about the handling of public dissent and alleged the government had failed to honour its assurances. The Congress sought medical assistance for the injured and urged the government to initiate dialogue, stressing that development projects must respect indigenous rights and ensure meaningful public consultation.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/arunachal-siang-dam-protest-turns-violent-nhpc-office-torched-after-police-crackdown.html
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Publish Date: 2026-10-24 00:15:00
