[ Prafulla Kaman ]

PASIGHAT, 26 Oct: In a massive security mobilisation, the state government has deployed 30 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) alongside state police and paramilitary forces to contain the highly tense situation arising from the ongoing anti-dam protests against the proposed 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in the Siang valley.

The heavy deployment comes as the government relies on force to contain the rising grassroots protest against the mega-project.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hibu Tamang informed that the deployment includes 15 companies of the CRPF (including four companies of the Rapid Action Force), eight companies of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), four companies of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and three companies of the Assam Police Battalion. These units, along with state police personnel and several platoons of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) jawans, have been stationed across East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang districts.

Furthermore, the district administration has deployed adequate police personnel at the residences of state BJP president Kaling Moyong, MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang in Pasighat, and MP Tapir Gao in Ruksin to ensure the safety of their lives and properties.

Taking cognisance of crimes reported during the agitations, the state police have so far arrested 69 persons on charges of rioting, physical attacks, torching of vehicles, and vandalism of office buildings and residential houses.

IGP Tamang stated that 53 criminal cases have been registered across the region - 26 in Upper Siang, 21 in Siang, and six in East Siang district. Following investigations into the 23 October incidents in Pasighat, the East Siang district police have arrested 21 persons and detained six others under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

The police have also registered a few suo motu cases, while notices have been served to 201 offenders under various sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Five minors involved in offensive acts were also detained and subsequently sent to a juvenile home.

Addressing the involvement of young students in the anti-dam agitations, the IGP stated that a police investigation is currently underway to establish the facts. "Police investigation is underway to unearth the mastermind who is misleading the young boys," Tamang added.