A 12-hour shutdown was observed across three districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday over the demand for the release of 10 protesters detained for opposing the construction of a large dam on the Siang River, disrupting normal life, transportation and commercial activities. The shutdown was called by the Adi Bane Kebang United, in collaboration with SAYA, the Adi Galo Welfare Society, SIFF and SIFFYW, across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts from 5 am to 5 pm.
According to reports,
the 10 individuals were taken into custody by the state administration around 20 days ago following protests against the proposed dam project in Upper Siang district. Various organisations have repeatedly demanded their release, alleging that the authorities have failed to take effective action. The organisations have warned that
if all 10 detained protesters are not released within the next 24 hours, they will intensify their agitation, potentially by calling a wider shutdown.
The shutdown affected travellers moving to and from different parts of the country, including Assam, with people seeking medical treatment among those facing difficulties. A man travelling from Odisha to obtain medicine for his mother, who has liver cancer, told reporters that he was unaware of the shutdown and was left stranded after a checkpost was closed and his bus turned back. A woman travelling from Siliguri with two other patients also described the difficulties caused by the shutdown, stating that
they had no access to food, drinking water or restroom facilities and were struggling to continue their journey.
