Boleng, May 23 -- Clashes erupted on Friday between villagers and security forces in Geku as authorities moved to restrict access to Beging, a proposed survey site for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh.

The villagers were attempting to join a sit-in protest led by the Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF), a local body representing families who staunchly oppose the project, asserting they have never consented to a development they believe threatens to submerge their land and way of life.

Multiple platoons of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in various areas, including Beging, Geku, Jengging, and the district headquarters of East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang like Pasighat, Boleng, and Ying...