Local residents in Arunachal Pradesh are intensifying their protests against the planned Siang Upper Multipurpose Project hydroelectric dam on the Siang River. Tribal communities, particularly the Adi tribe who view the river as their goddess 'Ane Siang', are rising up to protect their land, water, culture, and identity from the project driven by the Bharatiya Janata Party state government.
The movement escalated into violence following an arson attack on a security forces camp in Riga village in early October and a subsequent 12-hour bandh in Pasighat on October 23. Police used tear gas and stun grenades, leading protesters to vandalize and set fire to police vehicles, the NHPC office, and the houses of local BJP MLAs and the state president. In response, authorities launched a strict crackdown using the Arunachal Pradesh Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act, arresting dozens of activists and locals from Pasighat, Geku, and Riga.
On Thursday, hundreds of citizens, with significant participation from Gen-Z youth, demonstrated in the capital Itanagar, demanding the release of arrested agitators and the withdrawal of the Rapid Action Force. The state government defends the dam as a national security measure to counter Chinese construction upstream in Tibet, but protesters and lawyer Nado Pada argue that the majority of the river flows within India and local sentiments should not be overridden. The opposition Congress party has criticized the government's repressive tactics, while state minister Ojing Tasing accused Congress of inciting the youth and claimed most residents support the project.
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