Itanagar, Oct 23 (PTI) At least four women were injured on Friday after a clash broke out between police personnel and protesters over the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob, officials said.
The incident occurred at Dite-Dime near Geku in Siang district when around 150-200 agitators, carrying machetes, lathis and slingshots, tried to vandalise police vehicles and breach barricades and hurled stones at security personnel during a 12-hour bandh to protest against the proposed 11,200 MW power project, they said.
Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom said, “Around 150 to 200 protesters from Geku and Komkar areas in Upper Siang district gathered at Dite-Dime in Siang around 7 am in support of the bandh. They attempted to vandalise police barricades, hurled stones and violated prohibitory orders.”
Lawful action was initiated against them in the presence of the executive magistrate, the SP said.
“The police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Four women were injured in the clash and admitted to a hospital,” another officer said.
Protesters claimed that several of them were hit by tear gas shells and were experiencing breathing difficulties.
The SP maintained that the bandh was being observed peacefully at other places in Siang district.
The shutdown to protest against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project disrupted normal life across Siang and Upper Siang districts and parts of East Siang, with shops and business establishments remaining closed and residents largely staying indoors.
Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo said the bandh is going on peacefully.
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.
These organisations are demanding the release of 10 arrested activists, reinstatement of suspended gaon buras, withdrawal of all pre-feasibility activities and removal of paramilitary and central forces deployed in the region.
The Arunachal Pradesh government maintained that the proposed project is primarily aimed at storing and managing water in the Siang basin, particularly in view of concerns over China’s proposed mega dam on the Siang river upstream. PTI CORR BDC
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