Guwahati: A 12-hour shutdown called by the People’s Rights Action Committee (PRAC) over the arrest of anti-dam protesters disrupted normal activities across Arunachal Pradesh’s Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) on Wednesday, November 4.
Shops and commercial establishments remained closed, although government offices continued to function and vehicles were seen on the roads.
PRAC called the shutdown to demand the release of people arrested or detained following the October 23 protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Siang, East Siang and Upper Siang districts.
The committee also sought the withdrawal of security forces from areas affected by the project, the revocation of suspension orders against ‘Gaonburas’ (village headmen) and an immediate stop to survey work for the project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).
Apart from its demands related to the project, PRAC called for better road maintenance across the capital region, adequate supplies of essential medicines and improvements to ambulance services.
Police said no incidents of violence or unrest were reported during the shutdown, which lasted from morning until evening.
Around 30 protesters attempted to march from Bage Tinali near Nirjuli to Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, but police personnel stopped them, an official from the Itanagar Capital Region (Naharlagun) said.
Additional police personnel were deployed at sensitive locations, including the Civil Secretariat and Lok Bhavan, as a precaution.
Traffic remained light on roads across the capital region, although some vehicles continued to move, police said.
In another development, the Adi Galo Welfare Society began a foot march from Geku in Upper Siang district to Itanagar on Wednesday to oppose the proposed hydropower project on the Siang River.
The organisation has called for the withdrawal of paramilitary and Central Armed Police Forces personnel from villages within the proposed project area.
It has also sought the unconditional release of people arrested or detained over the recent anti-dam protests and subsequent clashes, in accordance with the law.
Opposition to the project has continued in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly over the deployment of security personnel and the proposed survey activities. The arrests linked to the protests have further increased opposition among affected communities.
Tensions escalated after violence broke out in Pasighat on October 23 during demonstrations against the project. Since then, affected residents have continued to protest and seek action from the authorities.