Guwahati: The ongoing anti-dam protest intensified on Monday as normal life was disrupted in parts of Arunachal Pradesh as several organisations enforced a 36-hour bandh against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on the Siang river.
The shutdown, which began early this morning, was called by the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Affected Area Youth Association (SAAYA), with support from student unions, community organisations and affected residents. The bandh was called in s Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts.
The organisers are protesting the alleged non-fulfilment of their demands. These include the release of demonstrators arrested in connection with earlier anti-dam protests (including violence on October 23 in Pasighat and subsequent incidents), the withdrawal of central armed police force (CAPF) companies deployed in the region, and the suspension of ongoing survey and pre-feasibility report (PFR) activities for the project.
Security sources said that the bandh hit normal life hardest in Upper Siang district. Many government offices and schools remained closed, shops and business establishments stayed shut, public transport including buses stayed off the roads, and demonstrators burnt tyres at several places.
Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo told reporters that the shutdown was mostly effective in Yingkiong town and Geku. East Siang was partially affected, while Siang district reported no significant impact, with offices, shops and schools functioning normally, according to Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom.
Internet services were suspended in Upper Siang as the bandh took effect.
The proposed SUMP, envisioned as one of India’s largest hydropower projects, has faced sustained opposition from sections of the indigenous Adi community. Critics say it threatens to submerge around 27 villages, displace residents, destroy agricultural land and forests, and disrupt traditional livelihoods and cultural practices tied to the Siang river.
Tension was prevailing in the area after a 12-hour bandh on October 23 that turned violent in places, leading to arrests, deployment of additional security forces, and continued protests. SAAYA had issued an ultimatum demanding the release of those arrested by November 1, failing which the 36-hour shutdown would begin on November 2.
The state government has maintained that the project aims at water storage and management in the Siang basin, amid concerns over upstream developments. No official response on the release of detainees was available as of Sunday evening, according to police sources. The bandh is scheduled to continue into Tuesday.
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