Siang Dam Protest: Hundreds of students and activists gathered outside Arunachal Bhawan in New Delhi on Saturday, October 31, to protest against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). They demanded the release of all detained people, an end to the dam project and the removal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel from Arunachal Pradesh.
The protest was organised by groups including Himkhand and Youth for Change. Demonstrators raised slogans against the proposed dam and accused the authorities of using force against people who oppose the project. Delhi Police detained several protesters, including Katon Moyong, an anti-dam activist popularly known as Aborman Anbo.
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A large number of police personnel were deployed outside Arunachal Bhawan as the protest brought the issue to the national capital.
The proposed SUMP is a major hydropower project planned on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh. The project is being taken forward by the Centre through the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
However, many members of the indigenous Adi community and local organisations are strongly against it. They fear the project could submerge villages, force families to leave their homes and destroy farmland and ancestral land. They are also worried about damage to the region’s forests, wildlife and local way of life.
The Siang region is also part of the eastern Himalayas, which is known for its rich wildlife and earthquake risks. Residents fear that building such a large dam in this area could bring serious problems for the people living there. Groups such as the Adi Bane Kebang United and the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum have been raising these concerns.
The movement has become more serious in recent weeks. On October 23, protests in Pasighat turned violent after police used tear gas to control demonstrators. Police reported stone-pelting, injuries to security personnel and damage to public and private property. An NHPC office and a police station were also set on fire during the violence.
The arrests have added to the anger among local groups. A report published by Down To Earth on October 28 said at least 26 people had been arrested over the violence, including five juveniles. Some activists have also protested while in police custody.
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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the project won’t be forced on local residents. He explained that the government is currently trying to complete a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), which will help experts study whether the project is possible.
He also said, “This project won’t move forward without talking to the public.” Khandu said the government would discuss the matter with local groups before taking any final decision.
The Centre has also presented the project as important for India’s water security and flood control, especially because of China’s planned large hydropower project upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo River. But local protesters continue to demand that their land, rights and concerns be considered before any further work takes place.
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