ITANAGAR, OCT 23:
Clashes between protesters and security personnel during a 12-hour bandh against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday left at least four women injured in Siang district, while several others sustained injuries in a separate clash in East Siang, officials said. Security forces fired tear gas shells at both locations to disperse protesters.
The bandh, observed from 5 am to 5 pm across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts, disrupted normal life, with shops and business establishments remaining closed and residents largely staying indoors.
The first clash occurred around 7 am at Dite-Dime near Geku in Siang district, where around 150 to 200 protesters from Geku and Komkar areas of Upper Siang gathered in support of the shutdown.
Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom said the protesters, allegedly carrying machetes, lathis and slingshots, attempted to breach barricades, damage police vehicles and pelt stones at security personnel, besides violating prohibitory orders.
“Lawful action was initiated against them in the presence of the executive magistrate,” Sikhom said.
Another police officer said security personnel fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, adding that four women were injured and admitted to a hospital. Protesters claimed that several people were hit by tear gas shells and experienced breathing difficulties.
A separate clash was reported near Ranaghat Bridge at Mebo in East Siang district, where protesters allegedly hurled stones at police personnel, prompting security forces to lob tear gas shells. Several people sustained injuries, and at least seven vehicles were reportedly damaged, officials said.
A cameraperson of a local news channel was also reportedly injured after a tear gas shell hit his leg, sources said. East Siang Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba did not respond to repeated calls seeking comment, according to PTI.
Sikhom maintained that the bandh was being observed peacefully in other parts of Siang district, while Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo also said the shutdown was peaceful in his district.
The bandh was jointly called by Adi Bane Kebang-United (ABKU), the SUMP-Affected Area Youth Association, the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) Youth Wing and the Adi Galo Welfare Society.
The organisations are demanding the release of 10 arrested activists, reinstatement of suspended gaon buras (village headmen), withdrawal of ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey activities and removal of paramilitary and central security forces deployed in the region.
The protests reflect continuing opposition among sections of indigenous communities to the proposed project, with concerns over possible displacement, livelihoods, environmental impacts and seismic risks. Protesters have also questioned the conduct of the PFR survey and called for meaningful consultations with affected communities.
On September 23, the state Cabinet approved the constitution of an Empowered High-Level Committee to guide and coordinate the PFR survey and related activities for SUMP in Siang and Upper Siang districts.
The proposed project, with a planned capacity of around 11,200 MW, is being pursued amid concerns over China’s proposed mega hydropower project upstream on the Siang river. The state government has maintained that SUMP is primarily intended to store and regulate water in the Siang basin, particularly in view of concerns over the proposed Chinese project. (With inputs from PTI/Indian Express)
