People in Arunachal Pradesh are opposing the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) over fears of displacement, loss of ancestral land, environmental damage and threats to the livelihoods and cultural heritage of indigenous communities, particularly the Adi people of the Siang Valley.The project is also strategically significant for India amid China’s plans for a mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, which flows into India as the Siang and forms part of the Brahmaputra river system. The debate has brought national security concerns into conflict with local communities’ demands for environmental safeguards and meaningful consultation.Why are people protesting against the Siang dam?1. Fear of displacement and loss of ancestral landResidents fear the project could submerge villages and ancestral land, forcing families to relocate and disrupting long-established ways of life.2. Threats to livelihoods and cultural heritageSections of the Adi community are concerned about the loss of farmland, traditional livelihoods and places of cultural significance linked to the Siang river and its surrounding landscape.3. Environmental and seismic risksOpponents have questioned the ecological impact of a mega dam on the river system and its safety in a seismically sensitive Himalayan region.4. Opposition to surveys and demand for consultationProtesters have demanded that survey activities be halted until affected communities are meaningfully consulted. The ongoing pre-feasibility report (PFR) exercise is intended to assess the project’s viability and does not, by itself, amount to final approval for construction.5. Questions over NHPC’s public relations campaignNHPC’s reported Rs 10.91-crore public relations contract has drawn attention to how the project is being presented to the public. The controversy raises questions about whether communication efforts can address residents’ concerns over displacement, rehabilitation and environmental safeguards.Arunachal Is Burning.The 11,200 MW Siang mega dam threatens to displace 1 lakh indigenous people & submerge 27 villages. Once campaigning for smaller projects, BJP now pushes this destructive dam. In the name of national security, whose land, lives & identity must be sacrificed? https://t.co/vJbo5sNfNq— Mayukh Biswas (@MayukhDuke) October 24, 2026Why does the government want the dam?The project is intended to strengthen hydropower generation and water security. Its strategic importance has increased amid China’s plans for a major hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet.The proposed Indian project is envisaged as a major storage facility that could help regulate river flows. However, its potential strategic benefits have not eased concerns among residents who fear the consequences for their land, livelihoods and environment.Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has condemned acts of vandalism and violence in the name of protests, stating that damage to private property and attacks on residences cannot be justified as lawful demonstrations.The statement comes amid escalating tensions in Pasighat, East Siang district, over public opposition to the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).During bandh-related protests, the residences of Arunachal Pradesh BJP State President Kaling Moyong, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, and Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering in Pasighat were reportedly ransacked. Property was damaged and personal belongings were looted.The Chief Minister has urged groups opposing the dam project to refrain from violence and resolve their concerns through peaceful dialogue and institutional mechanisms.— DD News Arunachal (@DDNewsArunachal) October 24, 2026BJP-led Khandu government calls for dialogueAmid intensifying opposition, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Jattvibeday held separate meetings with legislators and representatives of the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) and community-based organisations (CBOs).The all-party legislators’ meeting discussed the project’s pre-feasibility report, national security implications, environmental concerns and the aspirations of people in the Siang Valley, Khandu said in a social media post.”Our priority is to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of the people of Siang Valley,” he said.At the separate meeting with AITF and CBO representatives, Khandu said misinformation and misconceptions about the project were contributing to apprehensions among residents. He called for factual communication, transparency and open dialogue to bridge the information gap.”Our people deserve accurate information to understand the project, its strategic importance and the concerns associated with it,” he said.The government faces the challenge of addressing local concerns while pursuing a project it considers strategically important.Protests turn violent in PasighatThe dispute escalated on Friday after a 12-hour bandh across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts was followed by violence in Pasighat.An NHPC office and a police station were set on fire, properties belonging to political leaders were vandalised, and police personnel were injured, according to reports.The Centre moved additional Rapid Action Force personnel to Arunachal Pradesh on Jattvibeday following the unrest, raising concerns over law and order as opposition to the project continued.Protesters have demanded that survey activities stop until their concerns are addressed and affected communities are consulted.The central question remains whether the government can reconcile the project’s strategic objectives with the concerns of indigenous communities over displacement, land rights, environmental protection and their future in the Siang Valley.With PTI/Down To Earth inputs