New Delhi ordered the rapid deployment of two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised anti‑riot wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), to Arunachal Pradesh following a night of violent unrest in Pasighat. The force, comprising roughly 250 personnel, was air‑lifted from Navi Mumbai on a transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Saturday and was expected to reach the troubled town by Sunday, officials said.
Background of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
The unrest stemmed from opposition to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), an 11,200‑megawatt hydro‑electric scheme planned across the districts of Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang. The project is promoted as a strategic countermeasure to a large Chinese dam upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the river’s name in Tibet. The Siang river enters Arunachal Pradesh near Gelling, travels 294 kilometres, and joins the Dibang and Lohit rivers at Sadiya in Assam to form the Brahmaputra.
Indigenous tribal communities have voiced strong resistance, fearing that the reservoir could submerge villages, disrupt livelihoods and sever long‑standing cultural ties to the river. The project has therefore become a flashpoint for broader concerns about environmental impact and regional sovereignty.
Escalation of Protests and Violence
On Friday night, a mob in Pasighat, the district headquarters of East Siang, turned violent after a 12‑hour bandh—an organized shutdown—across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts concluded. While the bandh itself remained largely peaceful, the cessation of the shutdown saw protesters set fire to the office of the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) and a police station. Residences of three political leaders, including the state BJP president, were also vandalised.
Police reports describe the protesters as “Gen Z” participants who escalated the situation by looting and damaging property. The clashes persisted in waves for nearly nine hours, extending into the early hours of Saturday and finally subsiding around 3:30 a.m.
The violence left more than 40 police personnel injured, primarily from stone‑pelting. One protester sustained a leg injury from a tear‑gas shell and was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Several police and central forces members were also hurt during the confrontations.
In response to the turmoil, the East Siang district administration imposed restrictions on public gatherings and processions in Pasighat as well as in the nearby towns of Mebo and Ruksin. The restrictions were justified on the grounds of preventing further vandalism, arson and potential breaches of law and order amid ongoing protests and bandh‑related activities.
Central Government Deploys Rapid Action Force
Following the Friday‑Saturday violence, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a directive on Saturday to air‑lift two RAF companies from Navi Mumbai. The RAF, identifiable by their blue uniforms, is a specialised anti‑riot unit within the CRPF trained to manage civil disturbances. The decision to send the RAF underscores the central government’s assessment that the situation required a force with specific crowd‑control capabilities.
Prior to the RAF deployment, several CRPF units were already stationed in the violence‑hit areas. Arunachal Pradesh maintains a permanent presence of two to three CRPF battalions, and additional units had been mobilised to contain the unrest since Friday. Officials said the CRPF had effectively handled the protests and prevented further escalation, even as injuries among police personnel rose.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu addressed the events, describing the incidents in Pasighat as “regrettable.” He reaffirmed that the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy but warned that demonstrations must stay within legal boundaries and avoid property damage or disruption of public order. Khandu appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and respect the rule of law.
The central and state authorities’ coordinated response highlights the delicate balance between allowing democratic expression and safeguarding public safety in a region where development projects intersect with indigenous rights and geopolitical considerations.
While the RAF’s arrival was slated for Sunday, officials indicated that the unit would be deployed immediately upon landing to assist local law enforcement, reinforce security perimeters around key infrastructure, and support the restoration of normalcy in Pasighat and surrounding areas.
The deployment also serves as a signal to other districts where the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project faces opposition. By reinforcing a visible security presence, the government aims to deter further outbreaks of violence while continuing to pursue the hydro‑electric project deemed critical for national energy needs and strategic counter‑balancing of upstream Chinese developments.
Analysts note that the situation in Arunachal Pradesh reflects broader tensions in India’s North‑East, where infrastructure initiatives often clash with local environmental concerns and cultural preservation. The swift mobilisation of the RAF may set a precedent for handling future protests linked to large‑scale development schemes.
As of the latest reports, the RAF units were en route, and the district administration continued to monitor the security situation closely. The central government has not indicated any changes to the overall timeline of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, but the recent unrest may prompt further dialogue with tribal representatives and local stakeholders.
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