250 RAF Personnel Deployed to Arunachal Amid Protests
The Indian government has dispatched 250 RAF personnel to Arunachal Pradesh following violent protests against a major hydropower project.
The Rapid Action Force was airlifted to Pasighat to manage escalating violence.
Protests against the 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project turned violent, resulting in injuries to over 40 police personnel.
Local leaders emphasize the importance of lawful protests while condemning property damage.
In response to escalating violence during protests in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian government has deployed two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This decision, made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, involves approximately 250 personnel being airlifted from Navi Mumbai to restore order in the region. Officials confirmed that the units are expected to arrive in Pasighat by Sunday.
The protests erupted against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, which aims to bolster India's energy infrastructure and counter China's upstream dam projects. However, local tribes have expressed strong opposition, fearing that the project will inundate their villages and disrupt their connection to the Siang River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet. The river flows through Arunachal Pradesh before merging with the Brahmaputra in Assam.
The situation in Pasighat escalated on Friday night when demonstrators vandalized property, including an NHPC office and a police station, and targeted the residences of political leaders. Reports indicate that over 40 police personnel sustained injuries during the clashes, with one protester hospitalized after being struck by a tear gas shell. The violence prompted local authorities to impose restrictions on public gatherings to prevent further unrest.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but urged citizens to adhere to legal boundaries to avoid property damage and maintain public order. He described the violent incidents as regrettable and called for peace among all community members. A 12-hour bandh in the region had initially remained peaceful, but tensions flared after its conclusion, leading to the unrest.
Looking ahead, the deployment of RAF personnel aims to stabilize the situation in Pasighat and surrounding areas. The government is likely to monitor the protests closely and may implement further measures to ensure public safety and order as discussions around the hydropower project continue amidst local opposition.
