Arunachal Dam Protests Turn Violent; Centre Deploys 250 RAF Personnel Amid Shutdowns

Protests against proposed hydroelectric projects have intensified in Arunachal Pradesh, with shutdowns and incidents of violence reported in parts of the state. A 12-hour bandh in Upper Subansiri district opposed the proposed 1,605-MW Menga Dam, being developed by NHPC, and disrupted normal life. In Siang district, protests against a proposed 11,200-MW dam had earlier turned violent, with reports of vandalism and arson targeting public offices and residences. Indigenous communities fear the projects could threaten ancestral lands. The Centre has rushed 250 Rapid Action Force personnel to the state amid tensions over the projects and concerns about China’s hydropower development.