Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed on Thursday in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district to aid survey work for the proposed 12,000-megawatt Upper Siang hydropower project, which has faced strong local resistance.
Authorities have intensified pre-construction efforts for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) this year, focusing on the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) to evaluate costs and site feasibility.
The hydropower public sector undertaking NHPC has identified three potential sites along the Siang River—Ugeng, Dite Dime, and Parong—for the ambitious project.
Despite sustained efforts since June to commence surveys, local opposition over fears of displacement and ecological damage has stalled progress.
Local organisations, including the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, have demanded the immediate withdrawal of CAPF personnel, describing their presence as an attempt to militarise the area.
Residents, who estimate nearly one lakh people may face displacement if the project proceeds, argue the hydropower initiative poses grave risks to the region’s ecology and communities.
Protesters have maintained a peaceful vigil at Riew and Parong villages for nearly a month, preventing survey teams from accessing the sites.
Bhanu Tatak, legal adviser for the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, remarked, “Women and youth have been stationed there as guards, taking turns round the clock… They have been doing this for almost a month, but no surveyors have come yet. It is very unfortunate that the paramilitary is being brought here, because all protests and demonstrations have been completely peaceful."
"There is no place for violence among the protesters, so this is being done to create fear psychosis among the people,” he added.
On Tuesday, Siang Deputy Commissioner P N Thungon confirmed preparations to accommodate CAPF troops in Riew and Parong villages. He defended the move, stating: “Considering the national importance of this project, 70-80% of the people here have agreed to it because of its long-term benefits, but there is a section that is still opposing it. The PFR needs to be done, which will involve 3-4 months of work including drilling to see if the dam can be built at the site, but because of some negative elements, it has not happened so far."
"If some people are not allowing it to happen, then the government has to take steps to ensure that it does. This move is not to intimidate villagers, but to protect them and those who work on the surveys from any kind of mischief,” Thungon added.
The state government has also intensified efforts to win over public support for the project. NHPC has sanctioned a ₹325-crore CSR package for the region, while notices were earlier issued against government employees in Upper Siang district for allegedly participating in anti-project protests.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently convened a meeting with ministers and legislators from Siang and Upper Siang districts. Following the discussions, he declared that the state had resolved to “expedite the construction of the project.”
SUMP has been positioned as a strategic response to China’s hydropower developments on the Tsangpo River, including a planned 60,000 MW mega-dam in Tibet’s Medog county, which could affect downstream flows into India.
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