Anti-dam protesters in Arunachal Pradesh's Pasighat vandalised and set fire to an office of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and a police station after security personnel fired tear gas during their demonstration against a 12,500-megawatt power project proposed on the Siang river. The violence also involved the vandalism of leaders' homes of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the damage to an office of the apex tribal body.
On Friday, anti-dam protesters in Arunachal Pradesh's Pasighat vandalised and set fire to an office of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and a police station. This escalation followed the use of tear gas by security personnel during the demonstration against a 12,500-megawatt power project proposed on the Siang river. According to a Pasighat-based government official, vehicles in their premises were torched, and stones were thrown at the police station.
The buildings housing the office and the police station were not entirely burnt down, but they suffered significant damage. The protesters also vandalised the homes of leaders of the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, including Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Mariyang-Geku legislator Oni Panyang, and Kaling Moyong, the BJP state chief and former Pasighat East MLA. The office of the apex tribal body, Adi Bane Kebang United, in Pasighat was also damaged.
The violence followed the police firing tear gas at the protesters who were demanding the release of 10 persons who had been arrested earlier this month. An Itanagar-based senior police officer told Scroll that the homes of these leaders were vandalised, adding that Pasighat is located in the East Siang district.
Earlier on Friday, at least five women were injured at Dite-Dime near Geku in Siang district after a clash broke out between the police and the protesters.
Source:
Scroll.in
