Itanagar: At least four women were injured and later hospitalised after police fired tear-gas shells to disperse protesters enforcing a 12-hour bandh against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) at Dite-Dime in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district on Friday.Police said they took action after protesters allegedly tried to breach barricades, hurled stones and attacked security personnel.The incident took place near the 65 Bridge at Dite-Dime around 7 am, when a large number of protesters gathered to enforce the shutdown. The women were admitted to Geku hospital in Upper Siang district after experiencing breathing difficulties following exposure to tear gas. Some were reportedly hit directly by the shells.Several vehicles, including a pickup truck, were also reportedly vandalised during the confrontation.The bandh was jointly called by the Adi Bane Kebang United (ABK), SUMP Affected Area Youth Association (SAAYA), Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) and Adi Galo Welfare Society across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts.The organisations are demanding the release of 10 arrested activists within 24 hours, reinstatement of suspended gaon buras, withdrawal of all pre-feasibility report (PFR) activities in dam-affected areas and removal of paramilitary and central forces deployed in the region.The bandh disrupted normal life in parts of Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts, with shops and business establishments shut in several areas and many residents staying indoors.Siang superintendent of police Kamdam Sikhom said around 150-200 protesters from Geku and Komkar in Upper Siang district arrived at Dite-Dime and allegedly attempted to enter Siang district.According to Sikhom, some protesters were carrying machetes, lathis, slingshots and other objects. He alleged that they attempted to damage police barricades, obstructed security personnel and violated prohibitory orders issued by the district magistrate.Police also alleged that protesters threw stones at security forces, prompting them to take action.“Accordingly, lawful action was initiated against the protestors in the presence of the executive magistrate after proper announcement,” Sikhom said.The SP maintained that the bandh was being observed peacefully in other parts of Siang district. Siang deputy commissioner Tayi Taggu confirmed that the shutdown was peaceful in other parts of the district.Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo said the bandh was proceeding peacefully in his district, with residents cooperating with the organisers. He said the condition of the hospitalised women was expected to improve within two to three hours. Further details on their condition, the extent of the reported damage and the circumstances leading to the police action were awaited.The shutdown also received support from the Geku Youth Association, the Siang unit of the Public Right Action Committee and several other organisations.However, not all groups supported the bandh. The East Siang Downstream Dam Affected People’s Forum (ESDDAPF) said neither the forum nor its members would participate in it. The Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK) also opposed enforcement of the bandh in its jurisdiction, citing a lack of prior intimation.Earlier, East Siang deputy commissioner Jayanti Pertin had declared the bandh call illegal and unlawful in an order issued on Oct 22. Following a meeting with the district administration on Thursday, the organisers agreed to call off the bandh in the district.Despite the decision, the shutdown’s impact was visible along the Ruksin-Pasighat-Mebo stretch, where several shops remained closed and residents expressed solidarity with the protesters. Universities, schools and medical establishments largely continued to function normally.Hundreds also gathered on Mebo-Yingkiong road to enforce the bandh. No untoward incident was reported from East Siang district.Geku police outpost officer-in-charge, sub-inspector Nagom Mingki, appealed to residents not to obstruct police vehicles during bandhs, rallies or protests. He said the personnel stationed in the area were members of the same community and were duty-bound to serve local residents.Mingki said their responsibility was to maintain peace, prevent disturbances and uphold law and order, rather than support or oppose the SUMP or the dam issue.He also pointed out that while police teams deployed from other areas might leave after completing their assignments, personnel stationed at Geku had to continue serving the local population and respond to law-and-order problems and criminal cases within their jurisdiction.“We are your own people, serving our own community,” Mingki said in the appeal, urging residents to respect the duties of the police and help maintain peace in the area.
