The Union Government dispatched two RAF companies (about 250 personnel) from Navi Mumbai to Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, after violent protests against the Upper Siang power project. The deployment was ordered by the MHA on 24 October 2026 and the troops reached the site by 25 October 2026.
Key Developments
- 24 Oct 2026: MHA directs air‑lift of two RAF companies from Navi Mumbai on an IAF transport aircraft.
- 25 Oct 2026: RAF units land in Pasighat and are deployed to restore order.
- Existing presence of CRPF (2‑3 battalions) continues to manage protests.
- Violent incidents include torching of a NHPC office, a police station, and vandalism of homes of three political leaders, including the state BJP chief.
- Four women injured in clashes; several police and central‑force personnel also sustained injuries.
Important Facts
- Project size: 11,200 MW – one of the largest hydro‑electric schemes in the North‑East.
- RAF deployment strength: ≈250 personnel across two companies.
- Arunachal Pradesh already hosts a permanent deployment of 2‑3 CRPF battalions.
- A 12‑hour bandh in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts was largely peaceful; violence erupted after it ended.
- Deployment was executed via airlift by the Indian Air Force.
Exam Relevance
The episode touches upon several GS topics:
- Internal Security (GS2): Role of central forces like RAF and CRPF in managing civil unrest and protecting critical infrastructure.
- Centre‑State Relations (GS2): Central government’s intervention in a state’s development project and the political dynamics surrounding it.
- Energy & Environment (GS3): Large‑scale hydro‑electric projects, their economic benefits, and the environmental/social opposition they may face.
- Disaster Management & Public Order (GS2): Use of rapid deployment (airlift) to prevent escalation of violence.
- Political Processes (GS2): The right to peaceful protest, the legality of bandh, and the balance between democratic expression and law‑and‑order.
Way Forward
- Strengthen dialogue mechanisms between the Centre, state government, and local communities before project clearance.
- Enhance capacity of local law‑enforcement to manage protests without heavy reliance on central paramilitary forces.
- Conduct comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments for the Upper Siang project and ensure transparent grievance redressal.
- Develop clear protocols for the use of RAF and other forces to safeguard democratic rights while maintaining public order.