Anti-dam protests spread in Arunachal as police seek warrants against four protesters.

GUWAHATI: The standoff over Arunachal Pradesh’s proposed 11,200MW Siang dam intensified Thursday, with police seeking search warrants against four people, including a senior journalist and an advocate, over violence in Pasighat, and protesters in state capital Itanagar demanding the release of 27 arrested youths and cancellation of the project survey.Police have sought court warrants to search homes of Tongam Rina, Tatul Jerang, Tajong Talom and Sunny Tayeng — all residents of Pasighat — over alleged arson, looting and vandalism during anti-dam protests in and around the town on Oct 23.

Police told the East Siang chief judicial magistrate that clothes worn during the violence, mobile phones, digital devices and other evidence could be found at their homes. Recovery was essential to reconstruct events, the investigating officer said.In Itanagar, hundreds of youths and students rallied, demanding cancellation of the pre-feasibility survey for the proposed Siang river project. They accused govt of undermining its assurance that no dam would be built without public consent by deploying CAPF and police personnel across the Siang basin.Activist Sol Dodum said the Adi community was fighting for its land and identity. “You cannot take away the land of scheduled tribes against their will and expect them to remain silent.”