Paramilitary forces deployed in Arunachal after dam protests
- 30 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are deployed in the Siang Valley.
- 69 individuals have been arrested and 55 cases registered under anti-unlawful activities laws.
- Protesters vandalized NHPC offices and the residences of three prominent politicians.
- The 12,500-megawatt project was proposed in 2017 to counter Chinese hydropower developments.
- Local residents claim the state government has turned villages into military zones.
The deployment includes personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, Rapid Action Force, and women's battalions.
Three battalions of the Assam Police are also stationed in Pasighat to assist with security. The current total of 30 central companies follows the addition of nine new units to the existing 21 companies in the Siang Valley.
69 arrested following violent protests
Police have arrested 69 individuals and detained four others across the three districts for their alleged involvement in violence during a protest last Friday.
In Pasighat specifically, police have registered eight cases related to property damage and have arrested 21 people.
Vandalism of public property and political residences
Demonstrators vandalized and set fire to a police station and a National Hydroelectric Power Corporation office in Pasighat on Friday after security forces used tear gas. The unrest also resulted in damage to the residences of Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Mariyang-Geku legislator Oni Panyang, and state BJP chief Kaling Moyong.
Inspector General of Police Hibu Tamang said, "Some youths, without any leadership, have created law-and-order problems in Pasighat and vandalised public property". These law-and-order concerns emerged before the project survey process began, with the situation escalating on October 23 as public property was damaged.
Government stance on the 12,500-MW dam project
Hibu Tamang stated that the state government is open to dialogue and is willing to engage with families affected by the project.
Hibu Tamang said some villagers have signed memorandums of understanding for the pre-feasibility report study. Other villagers oppose the project and claim it is unnecessary.
Local opposition and historical context of the Siang project
Niti Aayog initially proposed the Siang Upper Multipurpose project in 2017 as a response to Chinese hydropower initiatives on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, the upstream designation for the Siang. According to estimates from the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, 27 villages situated along the river within the Siang and Upper Siang districts face potential impact from the planned dam.
Residents of the Siang Valley claim the state BJP government has turned villages into "military zones" to suppress opposition. At least 40 FIRs have been filed regarding dam protests since 2025.
Broader regional unrest regarding hydroelectric developments
On Monday, a 12-hour shutdown took place in the Upper Subansiri district as a form of protest against the Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project. The protest resulted in the cancellation of a public hearing for the project.
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