Violence Erupts in Arunachal Pradesh Over Controversial Hydropower Project

In Arunachal Pradesh, protests against the controversial 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project have turned violent, resulting in the destruction of property and injuries among police personnel. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement after a 12-hour bandh, targeting political leaders' homes and government offices. The unrest has raised concerns about the project's impact on local communities and the environment. The state government has urged caution against misinformation while emphasizing the importance of local interests in project evaluations. As tensions rise, the situation remains critical, prompting calls for an independent inquiry into the violence.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 24, 2026, 14:13 IST

Protests Turn Violent in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar: Protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh escalated into violence, resulting in a mob setting fire to an NHPC office and a police station, as well as vandalizing the homes of two political figures, including the state BJP president, in East Siang district, according to a senior official on Saturday.

Several police officers sustained injuries when protesters allegedly threw stones at them in Pasighat, the official reported.

The unrest began around 11 PM on Friday, following a 12-hour bandh protesting the hydropower initiative, as stated by Pasighat Deputy Superintendent of Police Tony Tatak.

Protesters targeted the residences of BJP state unit president and former MLA Kaling Moyong, along with Pasighat West legislator Ninong Ering, according to the officer.

The office of the Adi Bane Kebang, the leading organization of the Adi community, was also damaged during the chaos.

The NHPC office in the highland area of Pasighat was set ablaze, and a police station was also torched, with authorities currently evaluating the damage.

The deputy superintendent of police, who was injured in the fray, noted that the protesters had come from the Mebo region.

The violence erupted shortly after the bandh in Siang, Upper Siang, and East Siang districts concluded, he added.

During the 12-hour bandh, clashes occurred between protesters and police in Siang district, leading security forces to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Approximately 150-200 demonstrators, reportedly armed with machetes, sticks, and slingshots, attempted to damage police vehicles and breach barricades while throwing stones at security personnel, officials indicated.

In East Siang, confrontations were also reported near Ranaghat Bridge in Mebo, where protesters allegedly attacked police officers with stones.

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

These organizations are demanding the release of ten detained activists, the reinstatement of suspended village headmen, the cessation of all pre-feasibility activities related to the project, and the withdrawal of paramilitary and central forces from the area.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has condemned the violence and called for an independent investigation into the use of tear gas against protesters during the bandh.

The state government has urged citizens to be cautious of unverified rumors and misleading information regarding the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.

Officials have encouraged the public to rely on official announcements, press releases, and authorized channels for accurate updates about the project.

The proposed project has faced opposition from local communities due to concerns about its potential effects on the Siang river basin and indigenous populations.

The state government asserts that the project aims to manage water storage and regulation in the Siang basin, especially in light of concerns regarding a proposed mega dam by China on the river.

Additionally, the project is intended to enhance national water and energy security, manage seasonal flooding in the Siang-Brahmaputra basin, and foster long-term socio-economic development.

The government clarified that current activities are limited to technical and environmental surveys for preparing a pre-feasibility report to evaluate the project's viability.

Highlighting the importance of protecting local interests, the advisory emphasized that the welfare, rights, land security, and cultural heritage of local communities and families affected by the project are central to the government's assessments.