Pema Khandu Calls for Dialogue with SUMP Opponents Following Clashes in Pasighat Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has invited demonstrators to resolve differences through talks after violent protests erupted during a shutdown against the 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. In the aftermath of violent demonstrations in Pasighat over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called upon opposing civil groups and community leaders to sit across the table and resolve their grievances through peaceful dialogue. The appeal follows widespread disturbances, arson, and property damage in the region during demonstrations organized against the massive hydropower initiative. Shutdown Escalation and Widespread Property Damage Tensions flared on Friday in Pasighat during a 12-hour bandh called to voice opposition against the planned 11,200-MW power generation installation. The situation rapidly deteriorated after security personnel deployed tear gas shells and baton charges to scatter demonstrators, which prompted protesters to torch an NHPC office. Multiple participants, including students and women, suffered injuries during the police action. The unrest led to targeted attacks on critical administrative hubs and private residences. Crowds assaulted the Pasighat Police Station, the Adi Baane Kebang complex, and the NHPC premises. Demonstrators also entered and ransacked the residential properties of local legislators Oni Panyang and Ninong Ering, alongside the home of state BJP president Kaling Moyong, where incidents of looting and theft occurred. Furthermore, two operational police vehicles were incinerated as the confrontation deepened. Government Stance on Lawful Dissent and Consensus Responding to the deterioration of order, Khandu noted that the shutdown had proceeded without major incident across Siang district, Upper Siang district, and Pasighat during daylight hours, making the post-bandh unrest particularly unfortunate. While affirming the democratic right to organize peaceful protests, the Chief Minister stressed that public agitation must strictly respect legal boundaries and avoid vandalism or disrupting societal peace. Khandu emphasized that public consensus remains essential for advancing the project. He stated that the administration is eager to address every facet of the plan, encompassing anticipated developmental benefits, environmental or socio-economic risks, and the specific hesitations raised by local communities. Open Offer for Multi-Stakeholder Discussions The state government has indicated that communication channels remain entirely accessible to any association, body, or representative seeking answers regarding the proposed project. The Chief Minister offered to hold formal discussions in Itanagar, Pasighat, or another venue preferred by the stakeholders from the Siang belt. Khandu also confirmed his readiness to travel directly to any location chosen by local delegates, accompanied by departmental authorities, to clarify doubts on the ground. He reiterated that round-table meetings and institutional procedures represent the proper path for resolving public grievances, urging all sides to maintain calm and protect stability across the state. What this means for you The unrest in Pasighat and the standoff over the massive hydropower plan affect both regional stability and India's long-term renewable energy timelines. • Across India: The opposition could delay progress on the 11,200-MW project, a centerpiece of India's domestic hydropower and clean energy expansion plans. Extended policy impasses in frontier states often slow related national infrastructure timelines. • In Arunachal Pradesh: Residents in Pasighat, Siang, and Upper Siang face heightened security deployment and administrative scrutiny following the property destruction. Community groups now have an active opening to negotiate their environmental and rehabilitation concerns directly with the state leadership. • For Local Residents: Normal commerce and mobility in Pasighat may face temporary interruptions as authorities assess the damage and reinforce order. Local stakeholders are being encouraged to use consultative roundtables rather than shutdowns to voice their demands. • For Regional Governance: Attacks targeting the residences of local lawmakers and political offices will likely lead to tightened protection protocols for elected officials. It also puts focus on district-level engagement to bridge the divide between local communities and the state executive. Why this happened The violence erupted due to deep-seated local opposition against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project and the subsequent escalation during a public shutdown. • Local Resistance to the Hydropower Dam: Community groups called a 12-hour bandh to voice strong objections over the scale, possible displacement, and environmental effects of the planned project. Residents have maintained long-standing apprehensions regarding the large-scale river intervention. • Escalation During Crowd Control: Tensions peaked when security forces deployed tear gas and baton charges to disperse demonstrators in Pasighat. The resulting injuries to demonstrators, including students and women, triggered an aggressive reaction from the crowd. • Retaliatory Property Attacks: Following the clash with police, agitated groups targeted the NHPC office, Pasighat Police Station, and the personal residences of elected lawmakers, rapidly shifting the demonstration from a shutdown into arson and vandalism. Questions & Answers 1. What triggered the violent clashes in Pasighat? The clashes broke out during a 12-hour shutdown opposing the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project following police tear gas and lathicharge actions. 2. Which buildings and assets were damaged in the unrest? An NHPC office, Pasighat Police Station, the Adi Baane Kebang complex, police vehicles, and the homes of two MLAs and the state BJP president were ransacked or burned. 3. What was Chief Minister Pema Khandu's response to the incident? The Chief Minister termed the violence regrettable and urged opposing organizations to resolve their apprehensions through structured dialogue and round-table talks. 4. Where has the government offered to hold talks with the stakeholders? The Chief Minister offered to hold meetings in Itanagar, Pasighat, or any other location chosen by the community representatives. https://trendkia.com/en/arunachal-pradesh/pasighat-men-bharaki-hinsa-ke-bada-mukhyamntri-pema-khandu-ne-sump-virodhiyon-ko-batachita-ka-diya-nyota-51310 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.