Violent protests against the proposed Upper Siang Multipurpose Dam turned Pasighat in Arunachal’s East Siang district into a scene of unrest on Friday night.
Massive security reinforcement has been sent to the area, police sources said.
The Arunachal Pradesh police at Boleng fired tear gas to disperse anti-dam protesters near Ditte Dime, along the route towards Geku, on Friday. There were reports of arson in several parts of Pasighat. Several anti-dam organizations led by the Adi Bane Kebang-United, the SUMP-Affected Youth Association, the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum, and the Adi Galo Welfare Society have called for the shutdown.
On Friday, a 12-hour bandh across the Siang and Upper Siang districts and parts of East Siang, protesting against the government’s Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) plan, is underway.
Sources said the protesters set fire to the NHPC’s local office, apart from reports about an attack on parts of Pasighat police station. Seven vehicles were set on fire, sources said. SP Siang Kamdam Sikom said protesters pelted stones at the police, following which tear gas was fired to control the situation. He said a bandh is being observed in Boleng, while the overall situation across the Siang district remains peaceful.
