Delhi Police reportedly detained protesters outside Arunachal Bhawan in New Delhi on October 31 during a demonstration against the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh. Organised by Himkhand and Youth for Change Arunachal, the protest demanded the withdrawal of the proposed project, the release of activists detained during earlier demonstrations and the withdrawal of security forces from the Siang Valley.
Protesters alleged that police used excessive force and subjected some detainees to physical and sexual assault. According to a subsequent report by Arun Khabar on November 1, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) said all those detained had been released following the intervention of senior Congress leaders. Delhi Police had not responded to requests for comment at the time of The Arunachal Times‘ report.
Protesters Allege Assault
The demonstration began around 3 pm, with students and activists gathering outside Arunachal Bhawan in Chanakyapuri. According to The Arunachal Times, around 40 people were detained, citing a member of Himkhand. Among those detained was environmental activist Katon Moyong, also known as Abor Man. A Himkhand member alleged in a video statement that protesters were beaten, inappropriately touched and sexually assaulted during the detentions.
The report stated that some detainees had been released from Chanakyapuri police station, while approximately 25–30 reportedly remained at Baba Haridas Nagar police station when the article was filed. These allegations have not been independently verified. The APCC subsequently said all the detained protesters had been released after its senior leaders intervened and spoke with police authorities.
Project Faces Opposition
The protest in Delhi came amid escalating opposition to the proposed hydropower project in the Siang Valley, where indigenous communities, particularly members of the Adi tribe, have raised concerns about possible displacement, the loss of ancestral land and livelihoods, and environmental damage. Protesters also demanded the release of activists arrested during demonstrations in Arunachal Pradesh and the withdrawal of security forces deployed in the region.
Tensions intensified following protests on October 23, when violence and damage to public property were reported in Pasighat. Police subsequently arrested and detained several people in connection with the incidents. The state government has maintained that the proposed project remains at the pre-feasibility stage. Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that a dam will not be built without the consent of the people, while defending the project’s strategic and developmental significance amid concerns over China’s proposed hydropower project upstream on the Yarlung Zangbo River.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Development must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, respect for indigenous rights and meaningful consultation with communities whose lives may be affected. While the proposed project has strategic and energy-related implications for India, these considerations should not overshadow legitimate concerns about ancestral land, livelihoods and cultural heritage.
Allegations of excessive force and misconduct during the detentions warrant an impartial investigation, and the authorities should ensure transparency regarding the legal grounds for detention and the treatment of those held. Constructive dialogue, credible environmental assessments and meaningful public consultation can help prevent further tensions and build trust between communities and the government. How can India pursue major infrastructure projects while ensuring that indigenous communities are heard, respected and involved in decisions affecting their future?
Peaceful protestors were brutally detained by Delhi Police Against 11,200 MW SIANG DAM 📍Arunachal Bhawan, Delhi 🙏 We are United in This https://t.co/nkLHBL3u6X
— CJP Gems | (@GameonNewbie) October 31, 2026
