Anti-dam protests spread to Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district as violence erupts during a 12-hour bandh against the 1,605 MW Menga Dam project.
Arunachal Pradesh Anti-Dam Protest: Anti-dam protests in Arunachal Pradesh spread from the Siang region to Upper Subansiri district on Monday, with sporadic incidents of violence reported during a 12-hour bandh called by student organisations and local groups opposing major hydropower projects.
At least one two-wheeler was set on fire, a police constable was reportedly injured in an attack on a police vehicle, and another police vehicle was damaged. An office linked to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited was also vandalised during the bandh.
The incidents were reported in Daporijo, the headquarters of Upper Subansiri district, which shares an international border with China. Protesters erected barricades and burnt tyres to prevent vehicular movement, severely disrupting normal life in the area.
Protest Against 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project
The bandh was organised by student bodies led by the All-Tagin Students’ Union and other local organisations to oppose the proposed 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project, locally known as the Menga Dam.
Following the incidents, a proposed public hearing for the project was cancelled. The development highlights the growing opposition to large hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, where concerns over environmental sustainability, local livelihoods and indigenous rights have become key issues.
Residents and student organisations are demanding the withdrawal of the NHPC-backed project, citing concerns about its potential impact on the local ecosystem, communities and traditional livelihoods.
Siang Region Protests Against 11,000 MW Hydropower Project
The protests have also intensified in the Siang region, where local groups are opposing the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project is expected to generate around 11,000 MW of electricity.
The Centre views the Siang project as strategically significant, particularly in the context of China’s plans for a massive hydropower project with a proposed capacity of around 60,000 MW. The Indian project is seen as part of the country’s broader strategy to strengthen energy security and address concerns arising from major hydropower development upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, which flows into India as the Siang and subsequently forms part of the Brahmaputra river system.
Environmental Concerns and Strategic Considerations
The protests underscore the challenge of balancing India’s energy ambitions and strategic interests with environmental safeguards and the concerns of indigenous communities.
While large hydropower projects can contribute to electricity generation and regional infrastructure development, local residents have raised questions about their potential effects on river ecosystems, land, displacement and traditional ways of life.
The spread of protests from the Siang region to Upper Subansiri district signals growing resistance to major dam projects in the state. The cancellation of the proposed public hearing is an immediate setback for the Subansiri Upper project, while the broader debate over hydropower development in Arunachal Pradesh continues.