The Centre ordered two Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies—about 250 soldiers—to be air‑lifted from Navi Mumbai on an IAF transport plane, with the units scheduled to arrive in Pasighat and be deployed by Sunday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Saturday.
The protests erupted after a 12‑hour bandh that shut down Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts. At night, mobs torched an NHPC office, a police station and vandalised the homes of three political leaders, including the state BJP chief, according to Arunachal police officials. CRPF battalions already stationed in the state had been containing the unrest since Friday.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged the public to uphold the right to peaceful protest while condemning the violence. He said the bandh had been largely peaceful, but the incident in Pasighat was regrettable and called on all sections of society to maintain calm.
The RAF units will join the existing CRPF forces on the ground, with authorities expecting the joint deployment to stabilise the area. Local police have been instructed to coordinate closely with the RAF to prevent further escalation and restore public order.