[ Marina Dai ]

PASIGHAT, 25 Oct: Otul Jerang, a youth who surrendered himself at the Pasighat police station on Saturday in connection with the Gen Z-led mobilisation against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), said the violence that erupted in Pasighat on 23 October was contrary to the movement's democratic principles and agenda.

Speaking before surrendering, Jerang said the protesters had been deeply distressed by reports that tear gas had been used against women in Geku, prompting them to continue their demonstrations and join a 12-hour bandh called by various organisations.

"Our protest had been peaceful, but our sentiments were deeply hurt when we heard that tear gas had been used against women in Geku. We were distressed by reports that people who were fighting for their rights had been subjected to such treatment," he said.

He said the protesters wanted their concerns to reach the chief minister and the state government.

Jerang said emotions ran high when tear gas was used during the 23 October protest, leading to an escalation of the situation. He claimed that the protesters had attempted to restrain the crowd and bring the situation under control.

"At one point, the forces had withdrawn, but when they returned, protesters retaliated, and the situation escalated again," he said.

Jerang maintained that the violence was not what the protesters had intended and was against the democratic principles of their movement. He also said that the violence was contrary to their agenda, and that they were not associated with it.

The Gen Z-led protest turned violent on Friday evening after a confrontation between protesters and police/security personnel at Raneghat road . Police vehicles were set on fire, while several government and private properties were damaged during the subsequent clashes.

At least 15 people had been arrested or detained in connection with the violence as of Saturday. Jerang said that cases had been registered in connection with the incident as per Inspector General of Police Hibu Tamang.

Protesters alleged that the use of tear gas triggered the escalation, with several people reportedly struggling to breathe. One protester, describing the sequence of events, said the demonstrators were attempting to disperse when explosive sounds were heard.

"Suddenly, some explosives went off, and after that, we also became somewhat disoriented. Then stones started raining from both sides. After that, the situation escalated," the protester said.

Another protester alleged that explosives were used against the gathering before stones were thrown at them.

"They started by firing explosives at us. When we were trying to disperse them, they detonated a bomb, which caused the youths to become agitated. When we tried to sit down, they pelted us with stones," the protester alleged.

The police, however, said the situation escalated after protesters allegedly refused to clear the highway and began pelting security personnel with stones.

According to IGP Tamang, the Gen Z group had staged a sit-in protest in the Mebo area for around 24 hours before entering Pasighat from the Mebo side at approximately 2 pm on Friday. The protesters then blocked the Pasighat-Boleng highway, preventing vehicular movement.

Tamang said that the bandh was scheduled to end at 5 pm, and that most participants had dispersed by then.

However, the Gen Z group continued its sit-in on the highway.

According to the police, the situation escalated between approximately 5 pm and 6:30 pm, as darkness set in, when a group of around 200-300 people allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel and the magistrate. Police resorted to tear gas firing after the protesters allegedly refused to clear the highway, Tamang said.

More than 40 police personnel were reportedly injured during the clashes. The SP also sustained injuries and was evacuated to Dibrugarh for treatment, according to the police. Personnel from the central forces were also reportedly injured.

Tamang further alleged that another group of around 150-200 people gathered at the hospital where the injured personnel had been taken and pelted stones at police and security personnel.

Several government and private properties were damaged during Friday's violence, according to the police.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office was set on fire, while a portion of the Pasighat police station was damaged and some parts were reportedly set on fire. The office of the Adi Bané Kebang (ABK) was also vandalised.

The residences of Mariyang MLA Oni Panyang, MLA Ninong Ering, and state BJP president Kaling Moyong were also attacked and damaged. At least nine police vehicles were damaged, with some set on fire or targeted for arson, according to the police.

Tamang said the police would register cases under the appropriate provisions of law and initiate legal action against those found involved in vandalism and other offences.

"We have information and sources to identify those involved. We will take legal action against them in accordance with the law," he said.

The Gen Z-led mobilisation against the SUMP began with a consultative meeting in Pasighat on Sunday, 18 October, where young people discussed the proposed project and the pre-feasibility report (PFR) process.

This was followed by a rally on 20 October from the Daying Ering School ground to Gandhi Chowk in Pasighat. The protesters subsequently staged a 24-hour dharna at Miracle Ground, which began on Thursday and concluded at 2 pm on Friday.

After the dharna, they joined the 12-hour bandh called by the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), SAAYA, ABKU and the Adi Galo Welfare Society. The bandh, which began at 5 am on Friday, was observed in areas including Mebo and Ruksin in East Siang district, as well as parts of Upper Siang and Siang districts.

The Gen Z protesters have put forward four key demands to the state government: an immediate halt to all PFR-related activities and surveys associated with the SUMP; release, in accordance with the law, of activists and villagers detained in connection with the project; legal steps to facilitate the quashing of FIRs filed against activists and villagers before the competent courts; and immediate withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces personnel deployed in connection with the PFR and SUMP issue.