Centre Rushes 2 RAF Companies to Violence-Hit Arunachal Pradesh
25 Oct 2026 5:47 PM IST25 Oct 2026 5:47 PM IST
Central govt decided to deploy RAF Companies units after the violence in Pasighat during protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
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NEW DELHI: The Centre has ordered the deployment of two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force's Rapid Action Force (RAF) to Arunachal Pradesh following violence in Pasighat during protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
Officials said on Sunday that the Union home ministry had directed the deployment of around 250 RAF personnel, who were to be airlifted from Navi Mumbai aboard an Indian Air Force transport aircraft.
The personnel were expected to reach Pasighat and be deployed by Sunday.
The RAF is a specialised anti-riot unit of the CRPF. Several CRPF units are already stationed in the violence-hit areas, while Arunachal Pradesh has a permanent deployment of two to three CRPF battalions.
Officials said CRPF personnel had helped contain the unrest since Friday and prevented further escalation. Several police and central forces personnel were injured in the violence.
According to Arunachal Pradesh police, a mob torched an NHPC office and a police station and vandalised the residences of three political leaders, including the state BJP president, in East Siang district on Friday night.
The violence followed a 12-hour bandh across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts against the proposed hydropower project.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the bandh had remained largely peaceful, but violence erupted in Pasighat after it ended and continued until 3.30 am on Saturday.
Khandu described the incidents as regrettable and appealed for peace.
He said peaceful protest was an essential part of democracy but stressed that demonstrations must remain within the law and should not result in damage to property or disruption of public order.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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