Home / Disasters and Accidents / Arunachal Dam Protests Escalate: Gen Z Strike Demands Halt
Arunachal Dam Protests Escalate: Gen Z Strike Demands Halt
27 Oct
Summary
- Gen Z activists called a strike demanding the release of arrested protesters.
- Protests turned violent with arson and vandalism reported last week.
- Security forces, including RAF and CRPF, have been heavily deployed.
A significant escalation of protests has occurred in Arunachal Pradesh's Siang Valley, with a 'Gen Z' strike called for Tuesday. The demonstrators are demanding the immediate release of individuals arrested last week during anti-mega dam demonstrations in Pasighat. They also call for the scrapping of the proposed 11,200 MW Siang hydro power project. The situation has led to a substantial security response, with two Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies arriving in Pasighat and additional CRPF units deployed across the region.
Previously, protests against the dam project in East Siang district turned violent on October 23. Reports indicated that the NHPC's local office was set ablaze, along with police vehicles, and MLAS' houses were vandalized. In response, authorities imposed restrictions in Pasighat, Mebo, and Ruksin, and over 30 cases have been registered, leading to 21 arrests and 8 detentions.
Tension has also spread to Upper Subansiri district, where a 12-hour bandh was called by the Tagin Students' Union against the 1,600-megawatt Upper Subansiri Hydroelectric Project. This protest also saw vehicles set on fire and confrontations with police, stemming from an alleged attempt to detain the union president.
