2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:24 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:27 UTC
A solidarity rally was held in Itanagar on October 29, 2026, demanding the release of more than 30 people detained during violent protests in the Siang region on October 23 and 24 against the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on the Siang River. Protesters, including members of youth and social organisations, demanded protection of their land, rivers, indigenous identity, and fundamental rights, stating they oppose only mega dams that threaten their existence, not dams in general.
The protests, which spread to Upper Subansiri district, involved attacks on an NHPC office, vandalism of politicians' houses, and clashes with security forces that left several injured. The Arunachal Christian Forum appealed to Chief Minister Pema Khandu to initiate dialogue with the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum and other stakeholders to ease tensions, while locals continue to resist what they see as a forceful pre-feasibility survey for the SUMP, a project the government says is intended to counter a 60,000-MW Chinese hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo.
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