Five women from Geku have been hospitalised after police fired tear gas during the ongoing 12-hour bandh in the Siang Valley on October 23, according to the latest update reported by Arunachal Times.
The bandh has been called by several anti-dam organisations opposing the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and demanding the withdrawal of security forces from the region.
The protesters are also seeking an immediate halt to all preliminary surveys and studies related to the project, along with the release of detained anti-dam activists and the withdrawal of FIRs registered against them.
The shutdown follows growing opposition to the proposed hydropower project among Indigenous communities and residents of the Siang and Upper Siang districts, who have raised concerns about the potential impact on ancestral land, livelihoods and the environment.
On Thursday, a 24-hour peaceful sit-in was also launched at Miracle Ground in Pasighat by the Save Siang, Save Indigenous Rights Committee.
The demonstrators reiterated their demands for a halt to pre-feasibility studies and surveys, the release of detained activists and the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces from the region.
According to Arunachal Times, several organisations are leading the anti-dam movement, including the Adi Bane Kebang-United, SUMP-Affected Youth Association, Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum and Adi Galo Welfare Society.
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