Centre deploys 250 RAF personnel to Arunachal Pradesh amid Siang project unrest

The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the deployment of 250 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel to Arunachal Pradesh in response to intensifying disturbances in the state. Two complete RAF companies were airlifted from Navi Mumbai on board an IAF transport aircraft to reinforce law and order efforts in the region.

The deployment follows violent clashes connected to the Siang hydropower project, which has emerged as a flashpoint of public agitation in the northeastern state. The project has drawn significant opposition from local communities and civil society groups concerned about environmental and social impacts.

The Centre's decision to mobilize RAF personnel underscores the severity of the situation on the ground. The Rapid Action Force, a specialized unit of the Central Reserve Police Force, is typically deployed to manage civil unrest and large-scale public disorder. Officials indicated that the additional personnel would support state authorities in restoring normalcy and preventing further escalation of tensions.

The Siang hydropower project has remained a contentious issue in Arunachal Pradesh, with multiple stakeholders expressing divergent views on its implementation. State and central authorities have sought to manage the competing interests while maintaining public order.