Arunachal Shutdown: Life Paralyzed Over Demand to Free 10 Dam Protesters
Three districts in Arunachal Pradesh faced a 12-hour shutdown as groups demand the release of 10 protesters opposing a Siang River dam.
Normal life, transportation, and commercial activities came to a grinding halt across three districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday. A 12-hour Arunachal Pradesh shutdown was observed from 5 am to 5 pm, triggered by the demand for the immediate release of 10 protesters detained for opposing a massive dam project on the Siang River.
The Spark: The Siang River Dam Controversy
The shutdown was orchestrated by the Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU) in coordination with several other organizations, including SAYA, the Adi Galo Welfare Society, SIFF, and SIFFYW. The unrest centers on the proposed construction of a large dam on the Siang River in the Upper Siang district.
The tension escalated approximately 20 days ago when state administration authorities took 10 individuals into custody. These individuals were detained after participating in protests against the dam project. Despite repeated demands from various community organizations for their release, the protesters remain in custody, leading to allegations that the government has failed to take effective action.
Districts Affected and the 24-Hour Ultimatum
The impact of the strike was felt most acutely across three key districts:
- Siang
- Upper Siang
- East Siang
The organizing bodies have not backed down, issuing a stern warning to the administration. They have stated that if all 10 detained protesters are not released within the next 24 hours, the agitation will be intensified, which may include calling for a wider, more extensive shutdown across the region.
Human Cost: Stranded Patients and Travelers
While the shutdown aimed to pressure the government, it created significant hardships for innocent commuters and those in desperate need of medical care, particularly those traveling from Assam and other parts of India.
Medical Emergencies Ignored
One traveler from Odisha, who had journeyed to the region to secure medicine for his mother battling liver cancer, found himself stranded. He reported that his bus was forced to turn back after encountering a closed checkpost. Expressing his frustration and helplessness, he appealed to the organizers to grant exemptions for students and those facing medical emergencies.
Patients Left Without Basics
Similarly, a group of three patients traveling from Siliguri to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor, Madam Duna Dyang, faced a harrowing ordeal. The women reported being left without access to food, drinking water, or restroom facilities. They highlighted the danger of missing their scheduled medications due to the blockade and urged both the government and the shutdown organizers to engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis.
"We are ill and need to take our medications on time," one of the travelers stated, pleading for a resolution that does not penalize the sick.