Tensions persisted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang Valley ahead of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s scheduled two-day visit to Boleng and Yingkiong, as residents continued protests over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and its pre-feasibility report (PFR) activities.
Khandu is scheduled to visit Boleng in Siang district on September 29 and Yingkiong in Upper Siang district on September 30. The proposed tour comes amid opposition from several villages to the government’s plans to proceed with PFR-related activities for the project.
In Geku, residents reportedly opposed the Chief Minister’s proposed visit, saying they believed it was connected with the SUMP and the planned survey activities. Additional security personnel were deployed in the area on Monday, further fuelling concerns among villagers.
Residents continued their agitation through road blockades and reportedly asked security personnel stationed at different locations to leave. They also demanded that no further forces be deployed in the area.
The situation later escalated, with reports of clashes between villagers and security personnel. Government vehicles were allegedly damaged during the confrontation, following which Yingkiong Police detained four people for questioning.
The Superintendent of Police, Upper Siang, said the four were detained in connection with the alleged damage to government vehicles and that an inquiry was being conducted to establish the facts. The detainees were subsequently released, while the SP appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.
The SUMP has remained a contentious issue in the Siang Valley, where sections of the local population have continued to oppose the proposed PFR activities. Recent protests have included attempts to block access routes to proposed survey locations and prevent the movement of machinery.
The state government, meanwhile, has continued preparations for the PFR process. A review meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Boleng on Monday under the chairmanship of Boleng MLA and Panchayat and Transport Minister Ojing Tasing.
The meeting brought together the Siang Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, departmental officials, representatives of Central Armed Police Forces and other stakeholders. Officials reviewed security, logistics, ground-level preparedness and coordination for the proposed PFR activities.
The meeting also emphasised coordination among the district administration, security forces and concerned departments, while officials were asked to maintain engagement with local communities and address their concerns.
The government recently constituted an empowered high-level committee to guide and coordinate the PFR survey and related activities, stating that the process should be transparent, peaceful and people-centric.
Khandu has previously described the SUMP as a project of national importance and linked its strategic significance to concerns over China’s proposed hydropower development on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which enters India as the Siang. He has also said the government would not use force to implement the project or proceed against the wishes of local residents.
The Chief Minister has maintained that the deployment of police and paramilitary personnel is intended to maintain law and order and protect workers and equipment involved in project-related activities.
With opposition continuing in parts of the Siang Valley, Khandu’s scheduled visit comes amid heightened tensions between sections of the local population and the administration over the proposed project and PFR activities.
