Page 8 - The Indian EYE 110626

EYE ON INDIA NOVEMBER 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

Arunachal Pradesh faces twin

challenges of internal unrest

and border tensions

Protests against a major hydropower project, allegations of Chinese incursions
and the circulation of a fabricated military video have brought the state’s internal

concerns and strategic vulnerabilities into sharp focus

OUR BUREAU the hardships in remote frontier ar-
eas. “The Central government and
Itanagar / New Delhi
the Ministry of Defence must take
runachal Pradesh is facing a immediate steps to ensure border
combination of internal un- security and protect the rights, live-
Arest and growing concerns lihoods and traditionally used areas
over its sensitive border with China. of residents,” he said. He called for
While opposition to the proposed all-weather roads, round-the-clock
Siang Upper Multipurpose Project communication facilities and better
(SUMP) has triggered protests and amenities for security personnel. He
vandalism, allegations of Chinese in- also proposed an Arunachal Regi-
cursions in Upper Subansiri district ment, giving priority to local youth
have renewed questions about border familiar with the terrain.
security and the difficulties faced by The Ministry of External Affairs
communities living along the frontier. has said that the border situation is
The two developments have dis- periodically disturbed when Chinese
tinct causes, but together highlight the forces diverge from established pa-
challenges of governing a strategically trolling patterns. It has maintained
important state where development A view of the structural debris after a protest against the proposed large-scale dam on the that both countries continue to use
projects, local interests, livelihoods Siang River turned violent in Pasighat, in East Siang (ANI Video Grab) diplomatic and military mechanisms
and national security are closely inter- to resolve differences and avoid mis-
twined. including its benefits, potential ad- Chinese troops have intruded 40 to understandings.
The immediate trigger for the verse impacts and the concerns of lo- 50 kilometres into Indian territory The circulation of a manipulat-
internal unrest was a 12-hour bandh cal communities. “The government’s in Upper Subansiri district. The alle- ed video has further complicated the
on October 23 in Siang, Upper Siang doors are always open. Any organisa- gations have not been independently debate. The Indian Army recently
and East Siang districts, called by tion or association that wants to dis- verified. debunked a deepfake clip falsely at-
organisations opposing the SUMP. cuss the SUMP project is welcome,” Siram said a Congress delegation tributing remarks to Lieutenant Gen-
Although the shutdown remained he said. led by him, accompanied by former eral Girish Kalia, claiming China had
largely peaceful during the day, inci- The controversy reflects the dif- Home Minister Tanga Byaling and taken control of areas in Arunachal
dents of vandalism and looting were ficulty of taking forward large infra- Upper Subansiri MP Jarodum Kri, Pradesh and that Indian troops were
reported in Pasighat after the bandh structure projects in a region where visited frontier areas from August being denied supplies. The Army said
ended, continuing until around 3.30 local communities are concerned 26 to 29, travelling through Nacho, archival footage from a 2023 briefing
am on October 24. about their land, environment and Limeking and Taksing and interacting in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir,
Chief Minister Pema Khandu livelihoods. The government’s assur- with residents. “We are seriously con- had been digitally altered to create
said a police station, the Adi Baane ance that public consensus will guide cerned about the Chinese incursions the false claims.
Kebang complex and the NHPC of- the project will need to be backed by and the situation along the India-Chi- The episode underlines the risks
fice were targeted. The residences of sustained consultation and clear an- na border. During our visit to the bor- of misinformation in a sensitive bor-
local MLA Oni Panyang, senior MLA swers to the concerns raised by resi- der areas, we found that the situation der region. Arunachal Pradesh’s
Ninong Ering and state BJP president dents. The violence in Pasighat has needs to be examined carefully,” Sir- challenges require the government
Kaling Moyong were also vandalised also demonstrated how opposition to am said. to address local opposition through
and ransacked. the project has become a serious law- Beyond the military dimension, meaningful dialogue, investigate
Khandu condemned the violence and-order issue. Siram drew attention to infrastruc- credible concerns raised by frontier
but sought to distinguish between The border situation presents a ture deficiencies on the Indian side. residents and strengthen infrastruc-
peaceful protest and attacks on pub- separate but equally significant chal- He said poor mobile and internet ture. Maintaining public confidence
lic and private property. He reiterat- lenge. Arunachal Pradesh Congress connectivity, difficulties in replenish- at home is also an important part of
ed that the government was open to president and former education min- ing essential supplies and inadequate safeguarding a strategically sensitive
discussions on the proposed project, ister Bosiram Siram has alleged that facilities for soldiers were adding to border.

www.TheIndianEYE.com