Protests against a proposed Himalayan dam in India’s Arunachal Pradesh state turned violent, leaving around 40 police personnel injured. Demonstrators also torched buildings and vandalised government offices while opposing the major hydropower project.
The unrest erupted over the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, planned by state-run hydropower company NHPC. Chief Minister Pema Khandu said protesters damaged public property, attacked a police station and ransacked homes belonging to elected representatives. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
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Khandu urged opponents to raise their concerns through dialogue rather than violence. He called on local communities to question the government and discuss the project peacefully. However, resistance remains strong among residents who fear the dam could displace families and destroy their land.
India says the project is needed to counter China’s planned $167 billion Yaxia hydropower scheme in Tibet. New Delhi fears the Chinese project could affect water flows downstream into the Brahmaputra River. Indian officials say their proposed dam would create a large reservoir to store water and help maintain river flows.
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Beijing has said its hydropower project will have no negative impact on downstream areas. China also claims Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Zangnan, as part of South Tibet. India has repeatedly rejected that territorial claim, adding to tensions between the neighbouring countries.
The dispute highlights wider tensions between India and China, which share a contested Himalayan border guarded by thousands of troops. India’s foreign ministry said both countries remained in regular contact to manage border tensions. The statement followed reports from a senior Indian border police official about recent face-offs between their forces.