Suryaa International Desk: SURYA NATIONAL & NORTH EAST BUREAU, Itanagar: Local people, tribals have protested against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Dam project in Arunachal Pradesh. Surya National & North East Bureau, Itanagar: Protests by local people and tribal communities against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Dam project in Arunachal Pradesh have suddenly turned violent. Thousands of protesters took to the roads to protest the dam survey works in Upper Siang and Siang districts. Apart from raids on the residences of local MLAs and looting of equipment, the project office of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and government vehicles were set on fire, creating intense tension in the border state. Adi Tribes Movement Against Dam Surveys: The local Adi tribe is strongly opposed to the idea that the 11,000 MW hydropower project planned by the Central Government on the Siang River will submerge their ancestral lands, forest wealth and cultural existence. Recently, the agitators were turned away when the authorities tried to speed up the re-acquaintance survey work.
Thousands of young people gathered in the vicinity of Boleng and Yingkiang and held rallies with anti-government slogans. Houses of MLAs vandalized – NHPC office burnt: Protests escalate into violence: Attack on houses of public representatives: Protesters surrounded the residences of local legislators (MLAs) and pelted stones, claiming to be in favor of the project. They broke into the houses and destroyed the furniture and documents and committed looting. NHPC Center set on fire: Petrol bombs were thrown at the NHPC office which was monitoring the project surveys and set on fire. Due to this, the records of the office, computers and many official vehicles in the premises were burnt. Deployment of security forces: The police and paramilitary forces who entered the field used tear gas canisters and baton charge to disperse the agitators.
Many protesters and security personnel were injured. Suspension of Internet Services – Imposition of Section 144: As the situation worsened, the authorities in Upper Siang and Siang districts immediately imposed Section 144 (curfew restrictions) under the Indian Civil Protection Code. Social media and mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of rumours. Chief Minister Pema Khandu appealed to the agitators to resolve the issue through negotiations without disturbing the interests of the local tribes and not to disturb the law and order.