Itanagar, 23 October (HS): At least four women were injured in a confrontation between police and protesters opposing the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators during a 12-hour bandh, officials said.

The incident occurred at Dite-Dime near Geku in Siang district, where around 150 to 200 protesters from Geku and Komkar areas of Upper Siang district gathered from around 7 am to enforce the shutdown.

According to Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom, the protesters allegedly attempted to breach police barricades, damage police vehicles and pelt security personnel with stones. Some demonstrators were also carrying machetes, lathis and slingshots, officials said.

Sikhom said the protesters violated prohibitory orders and attempted to vandalise barricades. Legal action was initiated in the presence of an executive magistrate, he added.

Police subsequently fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. An officer confirmed that four women sustained injuries and were admitted to a hospital. Protesters, however, alleged that several people were hit by tear gas shells and suffered breathing difficulties during the confrontation.

Despite the incident, the bandh was reported to be peaceful in other parts of Siang and Upper Siang districts, officials said. Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo also confirmed that the shutdown was proceeding peacefully in his district.

The protest disrupted normal life across Siang and Upper Siang districts and parts of East Siang. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed, while residents largely stayed indoors.

The bandh was jointly called by Adi Bane Kebang United, SUMP Affected Area Youth Association, Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing and Adi Galo Welfare Society.

The organisations are demanding the release of 10 arrested activists, reinstatement of suspended gaon buras (village headmen), withdrawal of all pre-feasibility activities for the proposed project and removal of paramilitary and central security forces deployed in the region.

The proposed hydropower project has faced opposition from sections of local communities, who have expressed concerns over its potential impact on land, livelihoods and the environment.

The Arunachal Pradesh government, however, has maintained that the project is primarily intended to store and regulate water in the Siang basin, particularly in view of concerns surrounding China's proposed mega dam upstream on the Siang river.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash