Opposition to the proposed 11,000MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh escalated into violence in Pasighat on Friday night as protesters torched a police station, an NHPC office and nine police vehicles besides vandalising the residences of political leaders.
Around 40 security personnel were injured during Friday night’s violence, police said. This prompted the East Siang district administration to impose restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, starting at 5pm on Saturday. These restrictions prohibit public gatherings and carrying weapons in Pasighat, Mebo and Ruksin, anticipating a possible breach of law under the prevailing situation.
Chief minister Pema Khandu on Saturday invited all stakeholders for talks while reiterating that the project will move forward only with the consensus of the public.
The violence followed a 12-hour bandh on Friday across Upper Siang, East Siang and Siang districts, called by the Adi Bane Kebang United, SUMP Affected Area Youth Association, Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing and Adi Galo Welfare Society.
They had demanded the release of 10 activists, an end to the pre-feasibility survey and withdrawal of central forces.
Inspector-general of police Hibu Tamang on Saturday said that Friday’s bandh was largely peaceful until it ended at 5pm. He attributed the subsequent violence to a group he called the “Gen Z Youth Group”, which had arrived from Mebo in Pasighat earlier that afternoon.
According to Tamang, protesters blocked roads and shouted slogans against Khandu. Police used tear gas after warnings to disperse went unheeded. As darkness fell, groups allegedly hurled stones, injuring security personnel, before setting fire to the NHPC office, police station and vehicles.
The protesters also damaged the Adi Bane Kebang complex and residences of legislators Oni Panyang of the NPP and Ninong Ering of the BJP, besides that of state BJP president Kaling Moyong. Khandu said there were reports of theft and
looting.
Tamang alleged some protesters were intoxicated and promised action as per law. East Siang SP said they would investigate allegations that students were instigated.
The bandh followed a sit-in in Pasighat that started on Thursday.
Pasighat, founded in 1911 and regarded as Arunachal Pradesh’s oldest town, had witnessed peaceful demonstrations before Friday’s clashes. Protest organisers had initially planned a 24-hour sit-in beginning October 22, which ended on Friday afternoon before the bandh concluded.
Tension was rising in Siang Valley since Friday morning following injuries to four women during police action at Geku in adjoining Upper Siang district when protesters attempted to cross security barricades.
Friday’s violence marks an escalation of protests that had largely remained confined to areas threatened by the proposed dam. At least 27 villages could be affected, with residents fearing displacement and loss of ancestral land and livelihoods. Opposition to the project dates back decades. The ongoing protests gathered momentum in September. Khandu previously held discussions with organisations from the Siang valley but cut short a visit to Yingkiong last month amid a deteriorating law and order situation.
Addressing reporters in Itanagar on Saturday, Khandu condemned the destruction and appealed for dialogue rather than further shutdowns. He stressed that the government would not advance the project without the people’s consent, while condemning violence.