Arunachal Pradesh Protesters Oppose Siang Dam Project, Demand Release of Activists

Protests have intensified in Arunachal Pradesh against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), with demonstrators demanding the release of detained activists and the withdrawal of cases filed against those opposing the dam project. The agitation has brought renewed attention to concerns over indigenous rights, land ownership and the environmental consequences of large-scale infrastructure development in the region.

The protesters, including young people and indigenous rights activists, have called for the unconditional release of those detained in connection with the anti-dam movement. They have also demanded that the authorities withdraw legal proceedings against demonstrators and suspend preliminary surveys associated with the proposed project.

Tensions escalated following violence during a bandh on October 23. Four residents were reportedly detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014, prompting further criticism from people opposed to the project. The detentions have become a major focus of the ongoing agitation, with protesters questioning the authorities’ response to the movement.

The proposed 11,200-MW Siang project is a major hydropower initiative planned on the Siang River. While such infrastructure projects can contribute to electricity generation and water management, opponents have expressed concerns about their potential impact on local communities, traditional livelihoods and the surrounding environment.

Residents and activists fear that the project could affect ancestral lands, disrupt established ways of life and create long-term environmental challenges. The movement has also raised broader questions about the participation of indigenous communities in decisions concerning development projects on their traditional territories.

Protesters are demanding a halt to preliminary surveys and the withdrawal of security personnel from the Siang Valley. They argue that meaningful consultations with affected communities are essential before authorities proceed with the project.

The standoff highlights the growing tension between hydropower development and indigenous rights in northeastern India. The future of the project will depend partly on how authorities address local concerns, legal disputes and demands for greater community participation in the decision-making process.