Guwahati: Police have detained 15 people in connection with the violence in Pasighat, where a mob allegedly set fire to the NHPC office and attacked the residences of Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong and MLAs Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang on Friday night. Several of those detained have reportedly been arrested.The violence also damaged public and private property and left more than 40 police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel injured in attacks and stone-pelting.Six cases have been registered in connection with the incidents. Police suspect that youths, including juveniles, were involved and are investigating who allegedly instigated them. More arrests are expected.“About 300 youths were involved in the attacks and arson. More of them will be arrested soon. But police are investigating who instigated them since this violence took place after the bandh called on that day (Friday) was already over in the evening,” a police officer said.The violence came amid growing opposition from local community organisations to the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.Additional central forces have been deployed in Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district. Security has also been strengthened around the NHPC office and for officials of the central agency responsible for executing the proposed project. No NHPC personnel were injured in the attacks.The East Siang district administration imposed prohibitory orders on Saturday evening, banning public assemblies, rallies and demonstrations. The restrictions helped restore some calm in the affected areas on Sunday.According to PTI report, the Centre has also dispatched two Rapid Action Force companies of the CRPF, comprising around 250 personnel, to Arunachal Pradesh. The report further said the ministry of home affairs directed on Saturday that the units be airlifted from Navi Mumbai by an Indian Air Force transport aircraft and deployed in Pasighat by Sunday, officials said.
