Protests and Military Buildup Intensify in Arunachal Pradesh Over Siang Dam Project

Life in the Siang valley of Arunachal Pradesh remains tense as armed personnel patrol deserted markets following weeks of unrest over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Hundreds of police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to Upper Siang district since September 14 to back survey teams for the 11,200 MW hydroelectric and flood-control dam.

Unrest and Arrests

Tensions escalated after four protesters were detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, leading to a violent protest march on October 23 that damaged two MLAs' homes and set an NHPC developer office on fire. Police have since filed at least eight cases and arrested 26 people, while search warrants were sought against youth leaders Otul Jerang, Tajong Talom, lawyer Sunny Tayeng, and journalist Tongam Rina. Activist Ebo Mili and youth leader Jerang later surrendered to police, while local groups demand the immediate release of all detainees before holding any peace talks with the state government.

Project Risks and Government Stance

The state government maintains the massive project is necessary to counter China's upstream dam plans and protect the region from potential water floods. However, local Adi residents and organizations like the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum and Adi Bane Kebang argue that both dams sit in a high seismic zone, exposing the biodiverse region to extreme earthquake risks. Security forces in the district have expanded to roughly 10 to 12 companies alongside 250 Rapid Action Force personnel, while agitating groups continue a 300-kilometre march demanding the withdrawal of forces and the scrapping of pre-feasibility studies.

Context

Large infrastructure and hydroelectric projects in India's border regions often face stiff local resistance over environmental and displacement concerns, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Northeast India. State and central authorities frequently frame such projects as matters of national security and strategic necessity, creating friction with indigenous communities who fear permanent damage to their lands and traditional ways of life.