Violence marks shutdown against another proposed dam in Arunachal Pradesh

Violence during a 12-hour shutdown paralysed parts of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district on Monday (October 26, 2026), leading to the cancellation of a public hearing on the proposed 1,605-megawatt Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project, also known as the Menga Dam.

Several student and community-based organisations, led by the All Tagin Students’ Union (ATSU), called the shutdown. The alleged attempt by the police to detain ATSU president Tadak Pakba late on Saturday night was among the triggers for the protest.

A district official, declining to be quoted, said the shutdown was marked by arson, vandalism and clashes with the police. Much of the violence was concentrated in Daporijo, the headquarters of Upper Subansiri district, which has been in the news over alleged incursions by Chinese soldiers.

Videos shared on social media appear to show a private vehicle being set on fire, a police vehicle being damaged and overturned, and some two-wheelers being damaged. Protesters also reportedly damaged or burnt equipment, computer peripherals and surveying instruments at an office associated with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which is pursuing the project.

The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the proposed project on the Subansiri River, citing concerns over its environmental impacts, livelihoods, indigenous rights and the interests of affected communities.

The student organisations also demanded an explanation from the district administration and the police over the alleged attempt to detain Mr. Pakba. They warned of further protests if their demands were not addressed.

Security personnel remained deployed in the district amid reports of tension.

Second stir in 48 hours

The agitation against the Subansiri project followed a similar protest on October 24 against the pre-feasibility study for the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in the Siang River valley. Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district, was the epicentre of that protest.

Locals, mostly belonging to the Adi community, are against the Siang project, fearing large-scale displacement and adverse environmental consequences. The Centre, however, considers the project necessary to counter a 60,000-MW hydropower project that China is building upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo, the river that enters India from Tibet as the Siang and meets Dibang and Lohit rivers downstream to form the Brahmaputra.

The Centre ordered the deployment of two additional companies of the Rapid Action Force after the Pasighat violence, in which four women experienced tear gas-induced problems and a few security personnel were injured in stone-pelting.

Meanwhile, anti-Siang dam activists Ebo Mili and Otul Jerang, currently in Pasighat police custody, reportedly began a hunger strike on Monday (October 26). The two surrendered to the police following violence linked to the anti-dam agitation on Friday night.

Published - October 26, 2026 07:30 pm IST