Staff Reporter 

PASIGHAT / BOLENG, Oct 23: Protests against the proposed 11,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) intensified on Friday, as demonstrations in Pasighat and Dite-Dime turned tense, with police reportedly firing tear gas to disperse protesters. Several students, demonstrators and security personnel were reportedly injured in the confrontations, with some injured protesters rushed to hospitals for treatment.
The developments mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing anti-dam agitation, with protesters demanding the immediate withdrawal of security forces deployed in the region, suspension of pre-feasibility report (PFR)-related survey activities and the unconditional release of all seven persons arrested during the agitation.
In Pasighat, a dharna opposing the proposed mega-dam reportedly turned violent after security forces used tear gas to disperse the gathering. The confrontation triggered further tension, with reports indicating that police vehicles were also set on fire during the unrest.
Following the incident, protesting students and members of the public reached Bakin Pertin General Hospital to meet those reportedly injured in the tear-gas firing. The protesters asserted that their agitation would continue, signalling that tensions over the proposed project remain far from resolved.
Meanwhile, at Dite-Dime, near Geku in Siang district, women staged a semi-nude protest at a police barricade during a 12-hour bandh, expressing strong opposition to the proposed SUMP and demanding the release of all arrested persons. The demonstration reflected the growing intensity of local resistance to the project and the continued deployment of security personnel in the area.
Earlier, the bandh was jointly called by five organisations: Adi Baane Kebang United (ABKU), ABKU Youth Wing, Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW), SUMP Affected Area Youth Wing (SAAYA) and Adi Galo Welfare Society. The organisations have been demanding the withdrawal of security personnel and an immediate halt to PFR-related survey and field activities.
The reported use of tear gas at both Pasighat and Dite-Dime has further heightened tensions, raising serious concerns over the safety of protesters and the handling of the ongoing demonstrations.
Details regarding the exact number of injured persons, their medical condition and the circumstances that led to the police action remain awaited. An official response from the police and district administration was also not available at the time of filing this report.
Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has strongly condemned the reported use of tear gas against protesters during the 12-hour bandh on Friday.
Expressing serious concern over the handling of public dissent, HRA demanded an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident, accountability for any unlawful use of force, and medical assistance for the injured.
HRA alleged that assurances reportedly given by the Chief Minister regarding detained youths and security deployment remained unfulfilled, further fuelling public resentment.
Stressing that indigenous communities must not be treated as enemies of the State, HRA called for immediate dialogue with affected families, village elders, community organisations and civil society groups to resolve the dispute peacefully.
The organisation urged the state government to respect democratic rights, protect indigenous communities’ ancestral land and livelihoods, and ensure a transparent investigation into the reported incident.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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