Tension arose in Ruksin, East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, on Sunday due to violent protests by local residents against the proposed silicon factory at the Niglok Industrial Growth Centre. The protests escalated, resulting in injuries to two police constables and one officer from the CRPF, leading to the detention of two individuals accused of inciting unlawful activities among the protesters. This unrest coincided with an effort by district administration and police to comply with an interim order from the Gauhati High Court, which instructed local authorities to facilitate the transportation of materials to the silicon factory.
The High Court had issued the order following a writ petition from Aether Alloys LLP’s CEO, mandating an uninterrupted supply of resources to the factory, with the next hearing set for April 30. Earlier on the day of the protests, officials faced significant resistance at the Ngorlung bridge, where villagers, including many women, blocked the road to prevent the convoy from moving forward. In an attempt to control the situation, security forces used a lathi-charge but were unsuccessful, as activists persisted in their demonstrations, burning tires and chanting slogans against the government and the factory.
As tensions mounted, the magistrate decided to withdraw, resulting in the trucks being returned to Ruksin for secure storage. The police reported that while the situation remains tense, it is currently under control. Local villagers continue to voice concerns over potential air and water pollution, demanding the factory’s relocation.