Protests against large-scale hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh have intensified, drawing widespread local opposition and prompting a heightened police presence in the region. Demonstrators staged strikes and demonstrations against the construction of the Megadam dam, with some incidents involving damage to vehicles, including a company vehicle and two police vehicles.
The All Tajan Students’ Union, along with other local organizations, spearheaded the protests, voicing concerns over the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the dam projects. Authorities responded with a flag march in Daporijo to appeal for calm and urged residents to maintain peace amid rising tensions.
These recent events follow violent clashes in Pasighat three days earlier relating to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, an 11,200-megawatt hydropower initiative on the Siang River. The confrontations in Pasighat involved incidents of arson, vandalism, and confrontations between protesters and security personnel.
Opponents of the projects argue that the dams pose significant threats to local communities and the surrounding environment. The Siang River, which originates in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, is a major tributary of the Brahmaputra river system. It flows through Arunachal Pradesh before entering the Indian state of Assam and continuing into Bangladesh. Critics contend that alterations to the river’s flow and ecosystem could harm livelihoods dependent on the river and disrupt the ecological balance in the region.
The hydropower projects are part of broader efforts to enhance energy infrastructure in the northeastern states of India, aiming to meet growing electricity demand and promote economic development. However, the resistance from local groups highlights the ongoing conflicts between infrastructure development and environmental and social concerns in the region. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent further escalation of violence.