Arunachal Cabinet Creates Special Panel for Siang Dam Survey — But Villagers Aren’t Buying It

The Arunachal Pradesh government just made a move to fast-track one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in the state’s history — and it’s already stirring up fresh friction. The state Cabinet, on September 24, gave its approval to form an empowered high-level committee that will guide and coordinate the pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey for … Read more

Rights Group Stands With Siang Communities: “Protect Our Ancestral Land”

A human rights organisation has done something that rarely happens in Arunachal Pradesh’s development debates — it has openly sided with the people over the project. The Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) on Thursday threw its weight behind the ongoing protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), calling on the state government to … Read more

Drums, Rituals, and a Blocked Road: Ugeng Villagers Draw a Line Against the Siang Project

A road was blocked. A traditional ritual was performed. And a message was sent — loud and clear. On September 14, residents of Ugeng village in Arunachal Pradesh came out in large numbers to physically stop vehicles from moving towards the Siang area, in what is the latest and most visible act of resistance against … Read more

Stones, Shots, and Outrage: Chakma Students’ Body Speaks Out After Bordumsa Hearing Turns Violent

A routine hearing in Arunachal Pradesh’s Bordumsa descended into chaos — and now one of the state’s most prominent student organisations is demanding accountability. The Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union (APCSU) came out strongly on September 4, condemning what it described as shocking scenes of violence, stone-pelting, and the alleged display or even firing of … Read more

Shut Out and Stone-Pelted: Chakma Voters Blocked from Electoral Hearings, Community Knocks on NHRC’s Door

They came to exercise a basic democratic right. Instead, they were turned away — and the office meant to hear them out was left damaged. The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has filed a complaint before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging that Chakma voters were deliberately blocked from attending Special Intensive Revision … Read more