Arunachal Pradesh: Protesters clash with cops during 12-hour shutdown over Subansiri dam

A 12-hour bandh disrupted normal life across Upper Subansiri district, with protesters allegedly damaging equipment at an NHPC-related office and overturning a police vehicle.

Tensions escalated in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district on Monday, October 26 during a 12-hour bandh called to oppose the proposed 1,605 MW Upper Subansiri Hydroelectric Project, also known as the Menga Dam, being pursued by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

The shutdown was observed in Daporijo and other parts of the district, which shares a border with China. The protest reportedly turned violent, with demonstrators damaging and burning electronic office equipment and surveying tools at an NHPC-related office.

A police vehicle was also damaged and overturned amid rising tensions. Reports by Northeast Publish and Breaking News Live 24x7 linked the escalation to opposition to the proposed dam, allegations of police trespassing and an alleged attempt to detain a student union leader.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged detention attempt and the damage to public and private property were not immediately clear.

The bandh severely disrupted normal life across Upper Subansiri, with markets remaining affected and vehicular movement coming to a halt in several areas during the 12-hour shutdown.

The protest reflects local opposition to the proposed hydropower project at Menga. However, the specific concerns raised by the protesters, the administration's response and the project's current approval and construction status were not immediately available.