{
  "id": 16492671,
  "title": "Centre dispatches 250 RAF personnel to Arunachal Pradesh as Siang hydropower project protest turns violent",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/centre-dispatches-250-raf-personnel-to-arunachal-pradesh-as-siang",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T15:45:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arunachal-pradesh-violence-centre-dispatches-250-raf-personnel-amid-siang-hydropower-project-protest-101792941341346.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indian government has dispatched 250 members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) from the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) to Arunachal Pradesh in response to violent protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the deployment of the RAF companies, which will be airlifted from Navi Mumbai on an Indian Air Force transport aircraft. The units are expected to reach Pasighat, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh's Siang district, and be deployed by Sunday, according to officials.\n\nThe Siang project has been a source of controversy in Arunachal Pradesh, with locals opposing the construction of the dam due to fears of displacement, ecological destruction, and the loss of ancestral land. The violence erupted in Pasighat on Saturday, following a 12-hour bandh organized by protesters over the power project. During the bandh, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office and a police station were torched, and houses of three political leaders, including the state BJP chief, were attacked in East Siang district. Chief Minister Pema Khandu acknowledged the importance of peaceful protests but condemned the destruction of property and disruption of public order. He urged all sections of society to maintain peace and emphasized that the government was only exploring the feasibility of the project, not making any decisions to construct the dam.",
  "summary": "The ministry of home affairs directed on Saturday that two RAF companies will be airlifted from Navi Mumbai on board an IAF transport aircraft.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Violent protests in Arunachal against Siang dam; MLAs’ homes looted, NHPC set ablaze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/violent-protests-in-arunachal-against-siang-dam-mlas-homes-looted",
        "published": "2026-10-25T01:36:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Siang Dam: What is behind protest in Arunachal Pradesh against the 11,200 MW hydroelectric project? All you need to know",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/siang-dam-what-is-behind-protest-in-arunachal-pradesh-against-the-11",
        "published": "2026-10-25T03:38:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Centre rushes 2 RAF companies to violence-hit Arunachal Pradesh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/centre-rushes-2-raf-companies-to-violence-hit-arunachal-pradesh",
        "published": "2026-10-25T13:15:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}