Daporijo, Oct 26: Anti-dam protests in Arunachal Pradesh have spread from the Siang Valley to Upper Subansiri district, where a bandh against the proposed 1,605-MW Menga Dam paralysed Daporijo on Monday amid reports of violence and vandalism.
The 12-hour bandh was called by the All-Tagin Students Union (ATSU), in collaboration with the Dumporijo Students Union (DSU), Sinalita Students Union (SINALITASU), Taliha Students Union (TSU) and organisations representing affected communities.
The organisations called the shutdown to oppose the proposed 1,605-MW Menga Dam, officially known as SUHEP, which is to be developed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).
They have raised concerns over the project’s potential environmental impact, indigenous rights and the interests of communities affected by the proposed development.
Bandh supporters erected road blockades, burnt tyres and allegedly attacked vehicles moving along the roads.
A police patrol vehicle was attacked on Daporijo’s main road, while another vehicle was damaged during the early hours of the shutdown. A two-wheeler was also reportedly set on fire.
Several instruments and computer peripherals at the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office in Daporijo were allegedly torched by bandh supporters.
Meanwhile, reports emerged alleging that police attempted to detain ATSU president Tadak Pakba on October 25. Official confirmation of the alleged detention attempt, however, is awaited.
The latest bandh signals a widening of the anti-dam agitation, which had earlier centred on the proposed SUMP in the Siang Valley.
On October 24, a 12-hour bandh in Pasighat against NHPC’s proposed 11,000-MW SUMP was also marred by violence and arson.
The development comes after the Centre deployed two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to Pasighat on Sunday following reports of violence and vandalism during Saturday’s bandh.
Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu had appealed for calm and called for dialogue following violent protests against SUMP across the Siang Valley.
Several organisations had staged protests in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts over the proposed project.
With opposition now spilling into Upper Subansiri, concerns over the environmental consequences of major hydropower projects, indigenous rights and the interests of affected communities have become increasingly prominent across the state.