Dibrugarh: Arunachal Pradesh has deployed 30 companies of central armed forces across East Siang, Siang and Upper Siang districts amid escalating protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), following incidents of violence and vandalism during anti-dam demonstrations.
Inspector General of Police (Central Zone) Hibu Tamang said the deployment includes personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Assam Police Battalion, alongside state police and Indian Reserve Battalion personnel.
“30 companies from CRPF, ITBP, SSB, RAF and women battalions were deployed in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Three Assam Battalion were deployed in Pasighat to maintain law and order,” Tamang told reporters.
According to the IGP, the deployment comprises 15 companies of the CRPF, including four companies of the Rapid Action Force, eight companies of the ITBP, four companies of the SSB and three companies of the Assam Police Battalion. State police personnel and several platoons of the Indian Reserve Battalion have also been stationed in the affected districts.
The security mobilisation follows violence in Pasighat on October 23, when public property was damaged during protests against the proposed mega dam. Police have arrested 26 people in connection with the vandalism and detained six others under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (APUAPA), Tamang said.
“Some misguided youths without any leadership had created law and order situation in Pasighat and vandalised public property. We have registered eight cases in Pasighat and arrested 26 persons in connection with the vandalism. Many persons were detained and more are likely to be arrested as per law,” he said.
Police have registered 53 criminal cases across the three districts — 26 in Upper Siang, 21 in Siang and six in East Siang. Tamang said 69 people had been arrested so far in connection with offences linked to the protests, including rioting, physical attacks, vehicle burning and vandalism of government offices and residential properties.
Police have also registered suo motu cases and served notices to 201 people under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Five minors allegedly involved in the incidents were detained and subsequently sent to a juvenile home.
Security personnel have also been deployed at the residences of Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong, MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang in Pasighat, and MP Tapir Gao in Ruksin to protect their lives and property amid the tense situation.
Tamang said the police were investigating the involvement of students and other young people in the protests.
“Police investigation is underway to unearth the mastermind who is misleading the young boys,” he said.
The IGP also said the state government is open to discussions with families who could be affected by the proposed project, while acknowledging differences among villagers over preliminary survey work.
“The government is ready for talks and welcoming the affected families who will be affected from the dam. Some of the villagers signed MoU with the government for Pre Feasibility Study (PFR). But some are opposing it,” Tamang said.
He said law-and-order concerns had emerged even before the survey began and referred to the October 23 incidents in Pasighat, when public property was damaged.
“Before the survey, law and order problem had been arising. We have seen the effect in October 23, 2026, where public property were damaged and created law and order problem,” he said.
Tamang said opposition to the proposed project vary among communities in the affected districts.
“Upper Siang, Siang and East Siang were affected and the protest took place in these areas against the dam. Some of the villagers agreed for the PFR but others are objecting it. Some villagers are saying they don’t need the Dam so the PFR is not necessary,” he said.
The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, with a planned capacity of around 11,000 MW to 11,200 MW, has triggered sustained protests, particularly in Upper Siang district. Demonstrations intensified in October over preliminary survey work, with protesters raising concerns about the project’s potential impact on land, livelihoods and the cultural identity of indigenous communities living along the Siang river.