New Delhi: The Centre has dispatched two companies of the Central Reserve Police Force's Rapid Action Force (RAF) to Arunachal Pradesh following the violence in Pasighat during protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, officials said on Sunday, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via The Hindu BusinessLine

The Ministry of Home Affairs directed on Saturday that the two RAF companies, comprising about 250 personnel, will be airlifted from Navi Mumbai on board an Indian Air Force transport aircraft, and the units will reach Pasighat and be deployed by Sunday, the officials told PTI. The RAF is the CRPF's specialised anti-riot unit, whose personnel wear blue uniforms.

Source: PTI via The Hindu BusinessLine

Multiple CRPF units are already deployed in the violence-affected areas, and Arunachal Pradesh has a permanent deployment of about two to three CRPF battalions. Officials said CRPF personnel handled the protests since Friday and ensured the violence did not escalate, and that central force personnel were among those injured, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via 7Globe (India News)

The deployment follows Friday night's violence in East Siang district, when a mob torched an NHPC office and a police station and vandalised the residences of political leaders, including the state BJP president. Read the earlier report: Siang dam protest turns violent in Pasighat

According to the detailed police account reported by The Times of India, the violence continued in waves for nearly nine hours into Saturday morning, leaving over 40 police personnel injured in stone-pelting, a protester was hit in the leg by a tear-gas shell and admitted to hospital, at least nine police vehicles were damaged, and a deputy superintendent of police who suffered a head injury was evacuated to Dibrugarh for treatment.

Source: Times of India via DailyGraph

The East Siang district administration has imposed restrictions on public gatherings and processions in Pasighat, Mebo and Ruksin, citing apprehensions of vandalism, arson and a breach of law and order, with the order in force from 5 pm on October 24 until withdrawn or modified, the report said.

Source: Times of India via DailyGraph

250 personnelTwo RAF companies airlifted from Navi Mumbai on an IAF aircraft, officials told PTI
11,200 MWCapacity of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project at the centre of the protests

Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the right to peaceful protest was an essential part of democracy, but stressed that demonstrations must remain within the bounds of the law and should not lead to property damage or disruption of public order, describing the Pasighat incidents as regrettable and appealing to all sections of society to maintain peace, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via The Hindu BusinessLine

Sources: PTI report, October 25, 2026, via The Hindu BusinessLine; PTI via 7Globe India News, October 25, 2026; The Times of India report via DailyGraph, October 25, 2026.

Source: PTI via The Hindu BusinessLine