The Centre has sent two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force's Rapid Action Force to Arunachal Pradesh following violence during protests against the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.
The additional forces were deployed after violence broke out in Pasighat following a 12-hour shutdown over the hydroelectric dam project.
Protesters set fire to an office of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited, a police station and vandalised the homes of three political leaders.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had directed on Saturday that the two Rapid Action Force companies, comprising about 250 personnel, be flown from Navi Mumbai to Pasighat in an Indian Air Force transport aircraft.
The personnel were expected to be deployed by Sunday, officials told PTI.
The Rapid Action Force is the CRPF's specialised, blue-uniformed anti-riot unit. Several CRPF units are already deployed in the violence-affected areas, while Arunachal Pradesh has a permanent deployment of about two to three CRPF battalions.
Officials told PTI that CRPF personnel had handled the protests since Friday and prevented the violence from escalating. Some CRPF personnel were among several members of the state police and central forces injured in the unrest.
According to Arunachal Pradesh Police officials, a mob torched the NHPC office and police station and vandalised the residences of three political leaders, including the state BJP president, in East Siang district on Friday night.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the right to peaceful protest was an essential part of democracy, but demonstrations must remain within the law and should not lead to damage to property or disruption of public order.
Khandu described the incidents in Pasighat as regrettable and appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the 12-hour shutdown in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts remained largely peaceful on Friday.
However, violence erupted in Pasighat after the shutdown ended and continued until 3.30 am on Saturday.
The Centre's deployment of about 250 additional Rapid Action Force personnel follows the overnight violence, even as CRPF units already stationed in Arunachal Pradesh continue to assist in maintaining order.
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(With PTI inputs)