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Arunachal Pradesh: 250 RAF personnel deployed amid dam project violence
Violent protests against the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) have erupted in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting the Indian government to deploy approximately 250 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel to Pasighat. The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the deployment of two RAF companies, which were airlifted from Navi Mumbai via Indian Air Force transport aircraft to reinforce local police and CRPF units.
The unrest followed a 12-hour bandh in the Siang, Upper Siang, and East Siang districts. During the violence, which lasted until the early hours of Saturday, a mob set fire to a National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office and a police station in Pasighat. Protesters also vandalized the residences of several political leaders, including state BJP president Kaling Moyong and MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang.
Clashes between security forces and demonstrators resulted in injuries to approximately 40 police and central security personnel. Reports also indicate that four women were injured during a confrontation in the Siang district where police used tear gas to disperse crowds.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemned the vandalism and urged protesters to pursue their demands through dialogue. The proposed dam is viewed by the Indian government as a strategic necessity to manage water flows and counter a major Chinese hydropower project upstream in Tibet, though local indigenous communities, including the Adi people, fear the project will cause mass displacement and environmental damage.
Entities
Adi community · Arunachal Pradesh · Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee · Kaling Moyong · Kamdam Sikhom · NHPC · National Hydroelectric Power Corporation · Ninong Ering · Pasighat · Pema Khandu · Rapid Action Force · Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Protesters claimed they experienced breathing difficulties from tear gas. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in
- [● 3 SOURCES] The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project has a capacity of 11,200 MW. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in
- [● 3 SOURCES] Protesters held a 12-hour bandh against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee demanded an independent inquiry into the use of tear gas. navhindtimes.in
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 150 to 200 protesters gathered at Dite-Dime. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least seven vehicles were damaged in East Siang. assamtribune.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Police used tear gas shells to disperse protesters. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in · desitalkchicago.com · nagalandpost.com · www.dtnext.in · +2 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] At least four women were injured during clashes in Siang district. assamtribune.com · navhindtimes.in · nagalandpost.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Approximately 40 police personnel were injured by stones thrown by protesters. morungexpress.com · www.arabnews.pk · hindi.webdunia.com · thefrontierpost.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The residences of MLAs Oni Panyang and Ninong Ering, and BJP President Kaling Moyong, were vandalized. morungexpress.com · www.aajtak.in · www.dtnext.in · maktoobmedia.com · www.orissapost.com · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chief Minister Pema Khandu invited the youth wing of Adi Baane Kebang and the Youth Association for discussions.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government is currently focusing on the pre-feasibility report (PFR) rather than dam construction. hindi.newsbytesapp.com