Protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project involving a massive dam in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district turned violent on Wednesday as agitators vandalised the residence of local MLA Alo Libang, blocked roads, clashed with police and damaged government vehicles, as the chief minister left the district headquarters, reportedly cutting short his visit.
Protesters gathered outside the Grand Siang Hotel and prevented Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Cabinet ministers Ojing Tasing and Nyato Dukam, and Ninong Ering, the chief minister’s advisor, from attending Khandu’s programme, PTI reported. The unrest in Yingkiong, the district headquarters, is learnt to have disrupted Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s schedule for an interaction with government officials and community representatives. The state’s BJP government has maintained that the PFR activities are only a preliminary technical assessment and do not amount to approval for construction of the dam. Several government vehicles were also reportedly damaged, while a police vehicle was set ablaze near Dite Dime.
Earlier reporting noted: Raising their voices against the proposed over 10,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and the government’s move to carry out a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey, protesters demanded an immediate halt to survey activities and the withdrawal of security forces from project-affected areas. Government vehicles were damaged during the September 28 confrontation and four people were detained before being released.
A police vehicle was set ablaze near the Dite Dime bridge, and government cars were damaged at several places, a senior district official told news agency PTI. Local reports said several government and police vehicles were set on fire. Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo told PTI that Khandu completed his scheduled official meeting at Yingkiong before leaving the district by helicopter. Well-placed sources, however, said Khandu cut short his visit. Agitators entered local MLA Libang’s residence in Yingkiong, where several ministers and MLAs were staying, and vandalised it, the senior district official told PTI. Khandu has said the project would not be taken forward if it was found technically unviable, and that it would not be implemented against people’s wishes.
Earlier reporting noted: Tensions escalated after protesters entered the residence of Tuting-Yingkiong MLA Alo Libang in Yingkiong and allegedly vandalised the premises while raising anti-dam slogans. Earlier reporting noted: Wednesday’s unrest came two days after villagers clashed with security personnel at Geku.
