Arunachal: 36-Hour Bandh in Siang Valley Against 11,200 MW SUMP Disrupts Normal Life; Internet Suspended in Upper Siang
SAAYA had issued an ultimatum following an emergency meeting of affected villages on October 29, warning of the bandh if detainees were not released by November 1.
ITANAGAR/ PASIGHAT A 36-hour bandh called by the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) and the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Affected Area Youth Association (SAAYA), with support from student unions and community organisations, began at 5 AM on Monday, November 2, 2026, across parts of Siang, Upper Siang, and East Siang districts in Arunachal Pradesh. The shutdown is protesting the proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on the Siang river.
Organisers demand the unconditional release of protesters detained after earlier anti-dam agitations, the immediate suspension of Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey activities, and the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in project-affected areas. SAAYA had issued an ultimatum following an emergency meeting of affected villages on October 29, warning of the bandh if detainees were not released by November 1.
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The groups describe the movement as a democratic struggle to protect ancestral land, the Siang river (revered as ‘Ane Siang’ by the Adi community), and future generations, citing fears that the project could submerge around 27 villages, displace residents, destroy agricultural land and forests, and disrupt traditional livelihoods and cultural practices.
Normal life has been significantly disrupted, particularly in Upper Siang district. Schools, government offices, shops, markets, and business establishments remained closed in key areas, public transport stayed off the roads, and demonstrators burnt tyres at intersections to enforce blockades.
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Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo said the bandh was mostly effective in Yingkiong town and Geku, with many government offices, schools, shops, and businesses shut. East Siang saw partial impact, while Siang district reported no significant disruption, with offices, shops, and schools functioning normally, according to Siang Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikhom.
Authorities suspended mobile internet services in Upper Siang district (with reports of suspension extending to parts of the Siang belt) starting from Sunday night to manage the situation and maintain public order amid escalating tensions.
The district administration has treated the bandh as illegal and is closely monitoring developments, consistent with earlier prohibitory measures (including restrictions under relevant laws on public gatherings imposed in October). Security personnel maintained a visible presence at key locations.
The current agitation follows a 12-hour bandh on October 23 that turned violent in places, particularly in Pasighat (East Siang). Incidents included the torching of an NHPC office and a police station, vandalism of residences (including those linked to political leaders), stone-pelting that injured security personnel, and the use of tear gas by police. Dozens were arrested under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and additional CAPF companies were deployed. Protesters had already been objecting to surveys and security deployment without community consent.
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The SUMP, proposed by NHPC and viewed by the central and state governments (including Chief Minister Pema Khandu) as strategically important for energy security and as a potential buffer against China’s upstream projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (the upper Siang), remains at the preliminary investigation/PFR stage. The government has stated that the ongoing work is only a feasibility assessment and that construction would require environmental clearances. Indigenous Adi community groups have maintained consistent opposition to both the dam and the surveys.
As of reports on November 2, the bandh remained largely peaceful with no major fresh incidents of violence reported, though road blockades and closures continued to affect daily life in the core areas. It is scheduled to run into Tuesday. The administration continues to assess the situation while the protesting organisations have indicated further steps, such as a possible dharna, if key demands remain unmet.
