Protests Against SUMP Lead to Vandalism and Damage in Arunachal Pradesh

Protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) led to incidents of vandalism and looting in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Siang, Upper Siang, and East Siang. On Friday, mobs set fire to a National Hydroelectric Power Corporation office and a police station, and vandalized the residences of local political leaders. Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed concern over the damage to properties, which included the NHPC office and a police station.

The unrest is tied to opposition against a major infrastructure project, SUMP, which has a significant generation capacity. The incidents of property damage and civil disruption introduce political and regulatory risk to large-scale energy and infrastructure investments in the region.