Story perspectives

Violent Pasighat protests burn NHPC office, injure police

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 4:08 AM UTC · How we work

Left

Demand Tear Gas Inquiry

On Oct 23 2026, a mob in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh torched the NHPC office, a police station and damaged leaders’ homes, injuring police.
Coverage highlighted community calls to free detained activists, reinstate village heads, halt pre-feasibility work, and condemned police’s forceful tactics.
The bandh was organized by Adi Bane Kebang United and SUMP Affected Area Youth Association.
Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing, Adi Galo Welfare Society, Congress Committee demanded tear-gas inquiry.

Right

Post Bandh Violence

On Friday night, 23 October 2026, protests in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh turned violent, injuring police and burning NHPC office, a police station and homes.
Authorities said the 12-hour bandh was calm and violence erupted after it ended, noting Gen Z youth group acted intoxicated.
Government airlifted two Rapid Action Force, 250, from Navi Mumbai to Pasighat.
NHPC office, police station and homes of MLA Ninong Ering, MLA Oni Panyang and BJP president Kaling Moyong were set ablaze.

Center

Police Injuries Reported

On Oct 23 2026, protests in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh turned violent, injuring police and burning a police station, the NHPC office and leaders’ homes.
The state framed the dam as a strategic counter to China’s upstream project and urged protesters to pursue dialogue.
State officials said about 40 police and security personnel were injured in the clashes.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu condemned the vandalism and pledged dialogue with tribal groups and organisations.

Blindspot

The state government portrayed the hydro-electric dam project as a strategic countermeasure to China’s upstream development, according to Chief Minister Pema Khandu and other officials.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning and Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 activist Medha Patkar founded the Narmada Bachao Andolan to oppose the Sardar Sarovar Dam, highlighting displacement of thousands of Adivasis. The movement secured a World Bank review and a court order that halted construction until rehabilitation of over 40,000 families was addressed. Today, tribal opposition to NHPC’s hydro-electric project in Pasighat echoes that legacy, prompting the Arunachal government to promise dialogue.

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Demand Tear Gas Inquiry

On Oct 23 2026, a mob in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh torched the NHPC office, a police station and damaged leaders’ homes, injuring police.
Coverage highlighted community calls to free detained activists, reinstate village heads, halt pre-feasibility work, and condemned police’s forceful tactics.
The bandh was organized by Adi Bane Kebang United and SUMP Affected Area Youth Association.
Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing, Adi Galo Welfare Society, Congress Committee demanded tear-gas inquiry.

1 / 5