Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh have called in federal police reinforcements as protests against proposed hydroelectric projects turn increasingly violent, with fresh clashes in Daporijo and continued unrest in Pasighat over concerns of displacement, ecological damage and seismic risk.
The northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh is seeing a surge in protests against two major hydroelectric projects, with authorities deploying dozens of companies of central armed police forces to manage the unrest.
In Daporijo town, violent protests broke out on Monday against the proposed 1,605-megawatt Upper Subansiri hydroelectric plant, known as the Menga Dam project. Student organizations imposed a 12-hour general strike, which escalated into fresh violence. Local police reported that at least one police vehicle was damaged and a constable injured, according to the Arunachal Times. Supporters of the strike also allegedly vandalized an office rented by India's flagship hydroelectric power generation company, setting office equipment on fire.
In the village of Taliha, residents held largely peaceful demonstrations, blocking a bridge to restrict movement in opposition to the Menga Dam and a related land assessment exercise.
The renewed protests come days after a separate, larger project sparked unrest in Pasighat on October 23. There, mobs vandalized lawmakers' houses and set local offices and vehicles on fire over the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Police fired tear gas at youths and arrested dozens of demonstrators.
Authorities have now called in dozens of Rapid Action Forces (RAF), a special federal police unit, to Pasighat ahead of anticipated further protests. Companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were also rushed from Assam to the Siang Valley region. Reports indicate about 34 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) are deployed in the area, alongside state and paramilitary forces.
Locals oppose the dams over fears of mass displacement, loss of ancestral land, ecological damage and seismic risks in the mountainous state.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The protests reflect deep-seated local opposition to large-scale infrastructure projects that threaten livelihoods, land rights and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
- The deployment of federal forces signals a potential escalation in state response, which could either dampen or inflame the situation depending on how authorities handle further demonstrations.
- The court's hearing on electoral roll revision in Delhi runs parallel to this regional unrest, highlighting overlapping governance challenges in India.
Background
Arunachal Pradesh, a mountainous state in northeastern India bordering China, has a history of opposition to large hydroelectric projects. The region is seismically active and ecologically sensitive, and many indigenous communities rely on ancestral lands for subsistence. The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is one of the largest planned dams in India, while the Menga Dam is also a major project by the state's flagship hydroelectric company.
Key Perspectives
Protesters (local residents and student organisations): They demand the permanent withdrawal of the power projects, citing fears of mass displacement, loss of ancestral land, ecological losses and seismic risks.
Authorities (Arunachal Pradesh police and central government forces): They have called in reinforcements and conducted flag marches, appealing for peace while arresting dozens and preparing for further demonstrations.
What to Watch
- Whether the Supreme Court petitions against the Chief Election Commissioner lead to any changes in the electoral roll revision process in Delhi.
- The scale and duration of the general strike in Daporijo and whether it triggers further clashes or dialogue.
- Any official response or announcements from the state or central government on the future of the dam projects.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
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- SupportedProtests and violence are escalating in Arunachal Pradesh over hydroelectric dams.DW English: “Protests and violence spread in Arunachal Pradesh over proposed Menga Dam”
- SupportedAuthorities called in federal police reinforcements as protests grew more violent.DW English: “Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh called in reinforcements to the town of Pasighat in anticipation of more protests over a hydroelectric dam.”
- SupportedFresh clashes broke out in Daporijo as protests turned increasingly violent.DW English: “News outlets reported that tensions escalated during the strike leading to fresh violence.”
- Partly supportedThere was continued unrest in Pasighat.DW English: “The force reallocation comes days after protests against Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) turned violent in Pasighat on October 23.”
- SupportedProtests broke out on Monday in Daporijo against the proposed 1,605-megawatt Upper Subansiri project, also called the Menga Dam project.DW English: “Violent protests broke out against a proposed hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday in Daporijo town. Normal life in Daporijo was interrupted as student organizations implemented a 12-hour general strike over the 1,605-megawatt Upper Subansiri hydroelectric plant, also known as the Menga Dam project.”
- Partly supportedLocal police reported that at least one police vehicle was damaged and a constable injured.DW English: “At least one police vehicle was damaged and a police constable injured, the Arunachal Times reported.”
- SupportedStrike supporters allegedly vandalized a rented office of India's flagship hydroelectric power generation company and set office equipment on fire.DW English: “The report said that supporters of the strike also allegedly vandalized an office rented by India's flagship hydroelectric power generation company, setting office equipment on fire.”
- SupportedThe proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project was the focus of the October 23 Pasighat protests.DW English: “Protests and related violence shook Pasighat on October 23 after police fired tear gas at youths protesting the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).”
- Partly supportedMobs vandalized lawmakers' houses and set local offices and vehicles on fire in Pasighat.DW English: “Mobs reportedly vandalized lawmakers' houses and set local offices on fire. Protesters had allegedly set fire to buildings and vehicles then as well”
- SupportedPolice fired tear gas at youths and arrested dozens of demonstrators in Pasighat.DW English: “Protests and related violence shook Pasighat on October 23 after police fired tear gas at youths protesting the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Protesters had allegedly set fire to buildings and vehicles then as well, prompting police forces to arrest dozens of demonstrators.”
- SupportedLocals oppose the dams because of fears of mass displacement, loss of ancestral land, ecological damage and seismic risks.DW English: “Anti-damn protests have been building up in the northeastern mountain state , with locals fearing mass displacement, loss of ancestral land, ecological losses and seismic risks.”
- Partly supportedAbout 34 companies of CAPF were deployed in the area alongside state and paramilitary forces.DW English: “adding that a total of About 34 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) was deployed in the region. Regional newspaper Arunachal Times reported that about 30 companies of CAPF, alongside state and paramilitary forces were in the region”