The Indian government’s deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang, Siang, and East Siang districts to support the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has triggered widespread unrest. Three CAPF companies have been stationed at Geku, Uggeng, and Jengging in Upper Siang, with additional forces deployed in Yingkiong, Begging, Parong, Boleng, and Pasighat to assist the NHPC survey work.
Thousands of locals from Geku, Parong, and Pasighat gathered in Parong village on December 15, 2024, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the paramilitary forces and suspension of the SUMP project. Protesters view the security deployment as an attempt to forcibly impose the controversial dam, raising serious concerns over Indigenous rights and environmental impact. Activists like Ebo Mili condemned the use of force against peaceful indigenous communities, highlighting violations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169. Civil society organizations have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for intervention.
In Itanagar, the unrest threatens the region’s socio-economic stability, as local trade heavily depends on peace and community cooperation. Vendors and consumers alike are anxious about disruptions caused by ongoing protests and the heavy security presence, fearing long-term impacts on business and daily life. The Siang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum calls for dialogue and stresses the unconstitutional nature of forced project surveys, urging the government to respect local consent and human rights.
