Massive Security Buildup in Siang Valley

Arunachal Pradesh is witnessing an intensive security deployment following a wave of violent protests against the proposed 11,200 MW Siang hydropower project. Law enforcement authorities have called in specialized reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies airlifted directly via Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft to Pasighat.

The unrest, which escalated dramatically on October 23 in the East Siang district, saw NHPC's local office set ablaze alongside multiple instances of arson, including torched police vehicles and vandalized residential properties belonging to local legislators. In response, local authorities have enforced strict regulatory measures under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across sensitive zones including Pasighat, Mebo, and Ruksin.

According to law enforcement sources, a total of 34 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been stationed across the Siang region. This deployment includes specialized contingents of women RAF personnel deployed specifically to manage crowds and prevent further escalation.

Unrest Spreads to Upper Subansiri District

Civil tension has now rippled beyond the Siang Valley into the Upper Subansiri district. A 12-hour district-wide bandh called by the Tagin Students' Union—protesting both the unrest and the proposed 1,600-megawatt Upper Subansiri Hydroelectric Project—turned volatile at the district headquarters in Daporijo.

Confrontations broke out between demonstrators and police after vehicles were torched on the streets. The shutdown was initially triggered following attempts by local police to detain the president of the Tagin Students' Union after late-night searches.

Legal Crackdown and Arrests

Arunachal Pradesh Police have initiated a comprehensive legal crackdown, registering multiple criminal cases linked to the violence. Authorities confirmed that 21 individuals have been formally arrested in connection with the Pasighat riots, while eight others remain in detention as investigations continue.

Reporting by Gaurav Sen for Daily News 365.