Guwahati: Protests against Arunachal Pradesh’s proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) turned violent at Pasighat in Siang district on Friday night, with Gen Z protesters allegedly torching the NHPC office and police station and vandalising and looting the residences of two MLAs and the state BJP president.The violence continued in waves for nearly nine hours until early Saturday, leaving around 40 police personnel injured in stone-pelting. A protester who was hit in the leg by a tear gas shell suffered minor injuries and was admitted to hospital.The violence began after a 12-hour bandh called by the Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) United along with other organisations against the proposed project ended peacefully at 5 pm. The bandh, however, was not observed in the Pasighat area.“More than 40 police personnel were injured in stone pelting. One of our deputy SPs suffered a head injury and has been evacuated to Dibrugarh, where he is being treated. Central Police Force personnel were also badly hurt,” Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Pasighat, Hibu Tamang, told the media.The mobs also pelted stones at a hospital, where injured central force personnel had been taken. At least nine police vehicles were damaged. The groups dispersed around 4 am.“A youth group, calling itself Gen Z, suddenly emerged and sat on a dharna on the Mebo side. Around 2 pm, this group entered Pasighat jurisdiction. They blocked the Pasighat-Boleng highway and did not let traffic pass through. They had no clear demand. They said they would sit on a dharna indefinitely, and there was also slogan-shouting against the chief minister. They created a lot of commotion and kept the highway blocked,” the IGP said.He added that police and civil authorities persuaded the group to leave the highway for two hours without any result. “As darkness fell, the group became very violent and unruly. A violent mob, in groups of 200 to 300, began pelting stones at the police and the magistrate. The police handled it very gently and did nothing other than using tear-gas smoke,” the IGP said.“Some of them were carrying liquor and beer bottles in their hands and had been drinking. Some were intoxicated. They were that unruly and violent, and took the law into their own hands,” the IGP further said.He added that police had documented the incident through videography and taking photographs and would conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify those who allegedly instigated or participated in the violence, including individuals linked to organisations or groups.Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu expressed concern over the vandalism, looting and damage to property and offered to meet the groups for talks. He said the bandh was largely peaceful but incidents were reported in Pasighat after it ended and continued until around 3.30 am on Saturday.The CM said the homes of local MLA Oni Panyang and senior MLA Ninong Ering were vandalised, with reports of looting and theft. The residence of state BJP president Kaling Moyong was also ransacked, he added.“While the right to peaceful protest was an essential part of democracy, it was important that demonstrations remained within the bounds of the law and do not result in damage to property or disruption of public order,” Khandu said, calling the Pasighat incidents “regrettable.”On the dam, he said, “The govt’s doors are always open. Any organization or association that wants to discuss the SUMP project is welcome. People should question the govt, discuss the possible benefits and negative aspects of the project, and seek clarification on their concerns.” He offered to meet representatives from the Siang region in Itanagar, Pasighat or any place convenient to them.
