Arunachal Pradesh villagers block security forces at Siang dam site

Tensions have escalated in the Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh as villagers staged protests to block the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Residents from Komkar and surrounding villages, including Riga, Pangkang, Sitang, Riew, and Begging, resisted the entry of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and state police personnel attempting to access the Ugeng site.

The protests are directed against the upcoming pre-feasibility report (PFR) activities, specifically the arrival of drilling machinery. While previous records indicated significant local support for the PFR process through signed memorandums of understanding, the current confrontations suggest a shift in community sentiment. Protesters have utilized bamboo barricades and stone walls to block access roads.

Security forces reportedly deployed overnight at Riga village to manage the unrest, with allegations that tear gas was used to disperse crowds. Local human rights advocates have criticized the government's decision to proceed with the project despite vocal community opposition.