Arunachal Pradesh CM Urges Dialogue Amidst Protests Over Upper Siang Project
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 urged demonstrators to cease shutdowns and engage in constructive dialogue to address their concerns.
Khandu emphasized that the government is open to discussions, stating that the project will only advance with public agreement. 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 told reporters.
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 reach out to local communities for meetings, but some stakeholders have not participated.
Khandu accused certain groups of trying to maintain a tense atmosphere, which he believes is not conducive to 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 stated.
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 shutdown was peaceful during the day, reports of arson and vandalism emerged after it concluded, according to the Chief Minister.
Khandu confirmed that residential properties associated with MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang, as well as Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong, were vandalized.
Unrest reportedly persisted until around 4 am on Saturday, with protesters allegedly setting fire to the NHPC office, Pasighat Police Station, and seven police vehicles.
This violence followed tensions from police actions against protesters at Dite-Dime, near Geku in Siang district, earlier that day.
At least four women sustained injuries when police deployed tear gas to disperse a crowd during the bandh and were subsequently hospitalized.
According to police reports, approximately 150–200 protesters from Geku and Komkar in Upper Siang district gathered at Dite-Dime around 7 am.
Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom stated that the protesters allegedly 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 dismissed social media claims regarding the death of a young woman due to tear gas, labeling the reports as “fake news.”
The bandh was organized by various 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 village headmen, cessation of pre-feasibility activities, and withdrawal of central security forces from the area.
The proposed project, for which NHPC is responsible for preparatory work, has faced ongoing opposition from local communities concerned 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 surrounding security deployment, public consultation, and the concerns of affected communities.