Pasighat: The Jawaharlal Nehru College Students’ Union (JNCSU) in Pasighat has appealed to the East Siang Superintendent of Police for the prompt release of students arrested in connection with the October 23 violence during protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), citing their semester examinations scheduled for December.
In a representation to East Siang SP Pankaj Lamba, the union said the continued detention of the students could disrupt their academic preparations and affect their examination performance.
The JNCSU urged the police to consider their release in accordance with legal procedures so they could resume their studies. It also assured the authorities that it would counsel the students to maintain discipline and uphold peace and harmony on the college campus and in the wider community.
The arrests followed protests in Pasighat on October 23 against the proposed 11.2 gigawatt hydropower project which allegedly turned violent after security forces’ excesses. Local organisations and residents have routinely opposed the project over its potential impact on indigenous lands and demands a halt to preliminary survey activities.
The NHPC office and police premises were allegedly targeted as the protest turned violent, while several police vehicles and the residences of political leaders, including local legislators and the state BJP president, were vandalised. Several police personnel were also reportedly injured in the clashes.
Police registered multiple cases and launched an investigation into the violence.
East Siang SP Pankaj Lamba told reporters that at least 18 students from Jawaharlal Nehru College had been arrested in connection with the incidents. Ten of them are currently in judicial custody, while the remaining eight have been released on bail.