Four women hurt in police clash over Arunachal dam project protests

Clashes between police and protesters opposing the Upper Siang power project in Arunachal Pradesh have resulted in injuries to four women, escalating tensions over the contentious hydroelectric development. The incident marks a flashpoint in ongoing demonstrations against the project, which has faced sustained local opposition.

Protestors have articulated a series of demands in the wake of the police action. Chief among these is the release of 10 activists arrested during the agitation, along with the reinstatement of suspended 'gaon buras'—traditional village headmen—who have been penalized for their role in the opposition.

Demonstrators have also called for a complete halt to pre-feasibility activities associated with the power project and the removal of paramilitary and central security forces that have been deployed in the area. The presence of these forces has become a focal point of grievance for local communities opposing the development.

The Upper Siang project, a multi-billion rupee hydroelectric scheme, has drawn criticism from environmental and indigenous rights groups concerned about its impact on local ecosystems and communities in the northeastern state. The confrontation underscores the broader tensions between development initiatives and grassroots resistance in India's border regions.