Author, Dilip Kumar Sharma
Designation for BBC News Hindi
“If a dam is built on the Siang River, our everything will be destroyed. The government should seriously consider our petition.”
This is what 29 year old Gupu (name changed) of Adi tribe living in Siang Valley has to say.
People are scared of police action in East Siang, Siang and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday following violent protests against the proposed dam on the Siang river.
Local tribes have been protesting for the past several days against the proposed 11,200 MW "Siang Upper Multipurpose Project" on the Siang River.
They fear that their villages may be submerged in the reservoir of this project and their deep relationship with the river may be broken.
The anger of the protesters opposing this proposed dam turned into violence during the 12-hour bandh on Friday.
This bandh was called by the youth of Siang Dam Affected Area Youth Association, Youth Wing of Siang Swadeshi Kisan Manch, Adi Gallo Welfare Society and 'Gen-Z'.
Police allege that the protesters vandalized and damaged government property after taking permission for a peaceful protest.
The protesters allegedly set fire to an office of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Pasighat. Apart from this, police vehicles parked at Pasighat police station were also burnt.
Officials allege that some protesters in the crowd also vandalized the houses of Arunachal Pradesh BJP President Kaling Moyong, Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering and Mariang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang.
Many people, including security personnel, were injured in the clash between police and protesters during the demonstration.
Organizations protesting against the dam on the Siang river are demanding the release of anti-dam activists as well as withdrawal of security forces deployed in the Siang valley for pre-feasibility study of the project.
Mingkang, who lives in Geku village of Upper Siang district, says, "We are farmers. We do farming. We do gardening. If this multipurpose dam is built, it will affect us a lot. There will be a lot of loss. Our land will be submerged in water. Where will we live?"
An activist of 'Adi Bane Kebang-United', who is opposing this proposed project, says that due to the construction of the reservoir, the villages and fertile paddy fields situated on the banks of the river may get submerged in water.
This may pose a threat to the traditional livelihood and food security of local tribes.
He said, "If something untoward happens in the river dam, 35 villages may be submerged in water and more than 1.5 lakh people may be displaced."
Apart from this, people are also worried about the construction of such a big dam because this entire area is considered very sensitive in terms of environment and earthquake.
During a press conference in Pasighat on Sunday regarding this violence, Inspector General of Police (Central Region) Hibu Tamang said, "Police are taking action against those inciting violence. At least 15 people have been arrested. More arrests are possible."
According to the IG, "Police have registered six cases related to violence, arson, alleged attacks on police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel."
"A detailed investigation is underway to identify those allegedly responsible for instigating the young protesters and determine their role in the violence. Appropriate legal action will be taken," the police officer said.
East Siang district public relations officer Miding Mode told BBC News Hindi, "Some local people had sought permission from the district administration to hold a peaceful protest against the proposed hydroelectric project. The protesters were given permission to protest till 2 pm. But they remained there till the evening and blocked the national highway. When a long queue of vehicles formed on the highway, the magistrate ordered the removal of the crowd."
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu spoke at a press conference on Saturday on the violence during the 'Siang Upper Multipurpose Project' and the protest by the local people.
CM Khandu said, "The right to peaceful protest is an important part of democracy. But the mob has damaged a lot of property. The police station and NHPC office were vandalized and the houses of many elected representatives were also vandalized."
“Instead of violence, ask us questions and dialogue with us,” Khandu said.
Actually, China is preparing to build the world's largest hydropower dam on this river in Tibet. China is working on a plan to build a huge dam of 60,000 MW.
The Arunachal Pradesh government says the "Siang Upper Multipurpose Project" will help control floods and "counteract" the impact of the Chinese dam.
CM Khandu says that pre-feasibility report is an initial assessment of the technical feasibility and possible impacts of a dam project. This is not approval to start construction work.
Many scientists and environmental experts have also expressed concern about this project. 114 scientists, researchers and experts had demanded to stop construction, survey and approval activities related to Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in 2025.
China started the construction of such a dam in July 2025, about which concerns are being expressed in India and Bangladesh.
This river originates from the Tibetan Plateau and flows to India and Bangladesh. This project is being criticized because it could have a serious impact on millions of people in India and Bangladesh, the local Tibetan population and the environment in the downstream areas.
A 2020 report by Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute said, "Control over these rivers flowing in the Tibetan Plateau gives China a great power to influence India's economy."
In January 2025, the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had said that India has expressed its concern with China about the impact of mega dams.
