Violence erupts in Pasighat over hydropower project as Centre rushes 250 RAF troops

What Happened

Violent protests broke out in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, following a 12-hour shutdown called across three districts to oppose the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Protesters attacked public property, burning an NHPC office and a police station, and clashed with police.

Why It Matters

The conflict highlights the severe friction between local tribal communities' fears of displacement and the government's strategic infrastructure goals. Locals, particularly the Adi community, fear the submergence of 27 villages and the loss of their lands. Conversely, the Centre and state government view the dam as crucial for national water and energy security, especially to counter upstream Chinese dam construction on the same river system.

What Happens Next

Security forces including the Rapid Action Force have been deployed to restore law and order, while police assess damages and investigate the violence. The central and state authorities face the challenge of balancing local demands—such as halting surveys and releasing arrested protesters—with the continuation of the project's feasibility studies.