# Opposition Mounts Against Proposed 11,500 MW Siang Dam in Arunachal as Activists Decry Police Crackdown

> Indigenous groups in Arunachal Pradesh are resisting the 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, demanding the release of detained protesters and condemning administrative actions, movement curbs, and multiple FIRs.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Arunachal Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-11-02 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/arunachal-pradesh/arunachal-men-prastavita-11-500-megavata-siang-bandha-ka-kara-virodha-pradarshanakariyon-para-pulisa-karravai-ka-mamala-utha-55181 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Arunachal Pradesh, Siang Dam, Siang River, Adi Community, Hydropower Project, Environmental Protest

Tensions continue to build in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh as indigenous tribal populations resist the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). In an online press briefing organised by Youth for Himalayas, grassroots leaders and regional voices highlighted growing unease over alleged police excesses, detentions, and strict travel curbs imposed on residents. The flashpoint follows large-scale demonstrations on October 23, which brought public anger over the massive mega-dam to the fore. Local inhabitants fear the project could permanently damage ancestral lands, traditional livelihoods, delicate river ecosystems, cultural heritage, and indigenous territorial rights.

 

## Concerns Over Consent and National Security Justifications

A central grievance raised during the briefing was the lack of genuine public consultation. Tagori Mize, spokesperson for the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), stated that landowners and local community members had not been properly informed about the venture's true scope. Mize alleged that administrative authorities have been gathering signatures under false pretences to manufacture an illusion of widespread local support.

Furthermore, Mize challenged the official narrative that often frames the hydropower project as a national security imperative. Pointing out the deep patriotic roots of the local population, he underscored their historic contributions to defending the country. Mize noted that their ancestors fought against British colonial forces to safeguard the territory, asserting that local residents are proud Indians and should not be treated as outsiders in their own nation.

 

## Suspension of Traditional Village Heads and Harassment of Farmers

The situation on the ground has reportedly led to direct administrative action against dissenters. Dubit Sirim, General Secretary of the SIFF Youth Wing, stated that government employees and community figures who openly challenge the dam are facing intimidation. According to Sirim, nine Gaon Burahs (traditional village village elders and heads) across Siang district have been suspended or terminated from their positions for opposing the project.

Security restrictions are also severely hindering everyday agrarian life during the critical autumn harvest. Sirim pointed out that farmers are being barred from travelling to their fields in groups. The restrictions have reportedly escalated into violence; during recent protests, an elderly woman suffered fractured ribs during a police lathi charge while travelling toward her agricultural land, and she was subsequently remanded to judicial custody despite her injuries.

 

## Multiple FIRs in Upper Siang and Media Vilification

Legal pressure on the local populace has mounted significantly across Upper Siang district, particularly around the Geku area. Dubit Sirim reported that authorities have lodged widespread First Information Reports (FIRs) against local residents. In one extreme instance in the Geku area, a single individual was hit with more than 19 separate FIRs, while numerous other locals face similar legal actions designed to deter demonstrations.

Activists also raised alarms about public attempts to malign those questioning the project. Sirim highlighted the situation of Bhanu Tatak, a lawyer, researcher, and legal advisor to SIFF, who has faced intense public scrutiny. Tatak is involved in a Central Bureau of Investigation case regarding alleged Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) non-compliance concerning registration and income tax filings. Speakers argued that rather than reporting the specific procedural allegations, public narratives have mischaracterised the entire movement as foreign-funded, undermining the genuine concerns of indigenous communities.

 

## Four Decades of Resistance and Reverence for Aane Siang

The resistance against damming the Siang River is not a sudden development; community opposition has spanned nearly four decades. For the Adi community, the largest indigenous tribe inhabiting the valley, the Siang River represents more than just a water resource. Locally worshipped as Aane Siang, meaning Mother Siang, the river forms the very core of their cultural, spiritual, and communal identity. Altering its natural course is viewed by locals as a direct threat to their heritage.

Representatives at the conference demanded an immediate release of all detained protesters, the unconditional withdrawal of FIRs filed against activists, and the de-militarisation of the Siang region. They urged the government to halt aggressive administrative actions and initiate transparent, respectful dialogue with affected communities. Concluding the briefing, participants appealed for broader solidarity across the Himalayan region, emphasizing that the Siang struggle reflects overarching questions regarding ecological fragility, mega-infrastructure impacts, forced displacement, and democratic rights.

## What this means for you
The escalating dispute over the mega hydropower project carries direct consequences for Himalayan environmental governance as well as local indigenous livelihoods.

- **Across India:** The timeline for adding 11,500 MW of renewable hydroelectric power to the national grid faces severe delays amid community resistance. This dispute highlights critical national policy challenges regarding displacement and ecological safety in sensitive border zones.
- **In Arunachal Pradesh:** Farmers across the Siang region face disruption during their peak harvest season due to heavy travel restrictions and security checks. The punitive suspension of nine traditional village elders has also unsettled traditional local governance structures.
- **For the Adi Community:** Indigenous families confront the potential loss of ancestral lands and spiritual disruption to the sacred Aane Siang River. Community cohesion is being tested as locals organize to protect their territorial rights and customary ways of life.
- **On Civil Rights and Dissent:** The filing of multiple criminal cases and dozens of FIRs against local organizers creates significant legal intimidation for rural residents. Villagers must now expend critical time and resources navigating bail and court appearances instead of farming.

## Why this happened
The recent escalation in the Siang Valley is rooted in long-standing grievances over mega-dams that culminated after the October 23 public protests.

- **Deficit of Community Consultation:** Indigenous landowners were not adequately consulted regarding the project details, and allegations of misleading signature campaigns triggered deep distrust toward authorities.
- **Heavy-Handed Policing:** The imposition of strict travel restrictions during harvest time and alleged police violence during protests inflamed anger among residents.
- **Administrative Retaliation:** Punitive measures including the suspension of nine traditional village heads and the filing of multiple criminal FIRs against community advocates escalated tensions.
- **Decades of Ecological Concerns:** The Adi community has resisted large dams on the sacred Aane Siang for nearly forty years to safeguard their cultural heritage and ancestral lands.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the proposed capacity of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project?
The proposed hydropower project has a planned capacity of 11,500 MW.

### 2. Why are indigenous communities opposing the Siang dam?
Local communities are opposing the dam to protect their ancestral lands, livelihoods, river systems, and cultural heritage from environmental and territorial disruption.

### 3. How many traditional village heads have faced disciplinary action?
Nine Gaon Burahs in Siang district were reportedly suspended or terminated due to their opposition to the dam project.

### 4. What legal actions were reported in Upper Siang's Geku area?
Multiple FIRs have been lodged against residents, with one individual facing more than 19 separate FIRs.

### 5. What cultural significance does the Siang River hold for the Adi community?
The Adi community reveres the river as a cultural and spiritual mother, known locally as Aane Siang.

### 6. What are the primary demands made by the activist groups?
They demand the immediate release of detained protesters, withdrawal of all FIRs, de-militarisation of the region, and genuine government dialogue.

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