Arunachal Pradesh CM Urges Dialogue Amidst Protests Over Upper Siang Project

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has condemned the recent violence in Pasighat related to the Upper Siang Multipurpose Project. He urged protesters to abandon shutdowns and engage in dialogue to address their concerns. Khandu emphasized the government's openness to discussions, stating that the project will only proceed with public consensus. The unrest, which included incidents of arson and vandalism, followed a bandh called by various organizations opposing the project. Khandu's remarks highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the project, which has faced significant opposition from local communities due to concerns over land and environmental impacts.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 24, 2026, 13:59 IST

Violence Erupts in Pasighat Over Upper Siang Multipurpose Project

Protests turned violent with police vehicles torched on Friday (Photo: AT)

Sadiya, Oct 24: Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, expressed his disapproval of the violent protests in Pasighat regarding the proposed 11,200-MW Upper Siang Multipurpose Project (SUMP). He called on demonstrators to cease shutdowns and engage in constructive dialogue to address their grievances.

Khandu emphasized that the government is open to discussions and that the project will only advance with the agreement of the public. He invited all parties involved to participate in talks.

“Our offices and homes will always remain open. Question your government and clear the confusion and fear in your minds. Instead of going for bandhs, we must find a solution through round-table talks,” Khandu stated during a press conference.

He acknowledged the right to protest in a democracy but stressed that there are limits to this right. “Calling a bandh is not the solution. All stakeholders who want to discuss SUMP are welcome to visit us,” he added.

The Chief Minister noted that the government has made several attempts to engage local communities but some stakeholders have not participated in the discussions.

Khandu accused certain groups of exacerbating tensions, which he believes is detrimental to achieving a democratic resolution.

“Call us anywhere, be it Itanagar or Pasighat. I will come with the concerned departments. We will talk, and I have been repeating that this project will go forward only with public consensus,” Khandu reiterated.

His comments followed violent incidents in Pasighat, East Siang district, after a 12-hour bandh was initiated by groups opposing the dam project.

While the protest was peaceful during the day, violence erupted post-bandh, leading to reports of arson and vandalism, according to the Chief Minister.

Khandu confirmed that residences linked to MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang, as well as Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong, were vandalized.

Reports indicate that unrest persisted until around 4 am on Saturday, with protesters allegedly setting fire to the NHPC office, Pasighat Police Station, and seven police vehicles.

The violence was reportedly triggered by police actions against protesters at Dite-Dime, near Geku in Siang district, earlier that day.

At least four women sustained injuries when police used tear gas to disperse the crowd during the bandh and were subsequently hospitalized.

According to police, approximately 150–200 protesters from Geku and Komkar gathered at Dite-Dime around 7 am.

Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom stated that the protesters attempted to damage barricades and police vehicles, threw stones at security personnel, and violated prohibitory orders.

He mentioned that lawful action was taken in the presence of an executive magistrate after an announcement was made.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Police have dismissed social media claims regarding the death of a young woman allegedly caused by tear gas, labeling the reports as “fake news.”

The bandh was organized by several groups, including Adi Bane Kebang United, the SUMP Affected Area Youth Association, the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing, and the Adi Galo Welfare Society.

Their demands include the release of ten detained activists, reinstatement of suspended gaon buras (village headmen), withdrawal of pre-feasibility activities, and removal of central security forces from the area.

The proposed project, for which NHPC is responsible for preparatory work, has faced ongoing opposition from various local communities due to concerns about ancestral land, livelihoods, environmental impact, and indigenous rights.

The state government has highlighted the project's potential benefits for water storage and management in the Siang basin, especially in light of China's planned hydropower project upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet.

On October 13, Khandu had tentatively agreed to reduce security presence in the Siang Valley and withdraw FIRs related to the protests.

The project remains in the preliminary investigation and pre-feasibility phase, with ongoing tensions regarding security deployment, public consultation, and the concerns of affected communities.