Police in Arunachal Pradesh have brought in 30 paramilitary companies, including CRPF, ITBP, SSB, RAF, and women’s battalions, to Upper Siang, Siang, and East Siang districts after a wave of anti‑dam protests erupted on Oct. 23.
The protests follow the state's proposal to build a mega dam on the Siang River, which villagers fear will displace thousands and alter their way of life. Some families have already signed memorandums of understanding for a pre‑feasibility report, while others oppose the project outright.
Ins. G. Hibu Tamang said the government remains open to dialogue and is ready to negotiate with families likely to be affected. A Pasighat family who signed an MoU said they still hope the government will honour compensation promises.
Police have registered eight cases linked to vandalism of public property in Pasighat and have arrested 21 individuals, with more detentions expected, according to Tamang. Youths, largely unorganized, vandalised a government office and set a vehicle ablaze.
The move follows a surge of unrest that threatens to derail the dam’s pre‑feasibility study. The central government is slated to review the environmental impact report before any construction can proceed, and additional arrests are likely as law‑and‑order units tighten their grip.