Massive protests began in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh, especially in Siang and Dibang valley, soon after the signing of memorandums of agreement (MoA) between the state government and hydropower PSUs for 12 stalled hydropower projects in the state. 

The 12 stalled hydropower projects have a cumulative installed capacity of about 11,523 MW. According to a press release, out of these 12 projects, five projects of 2,620 MW have been allocated by the state Government to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (NEEPCO), five projects of 5,097 MW to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVN) and the remaining two projects of capacity 3,800 MW to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

While the Tato-II HEP (700 MW), the Tato-I HEP (186 MW), the Heo HEP (240 MW), the Naying HEP (1,000 MW) and the Hirong HEP (500 MW) have been allotted to the NEEPCO, the Etalin HEP (3,097 MW), the Attunli HEP (680 MW), the Emini HEP (500 MW), the Amulin HEP (420 MW) and the Mihumdon HEP (400 MW) have been given to the SJVN. The Subansiri Upper HEP (2,000 MW) and the Subansiri Middle (Kamala) HEP (1,800 MW) have been allotted to the NHPC.

These projects were earlier entrusted upon private sector developers about 15 years ago, but they remained non-starters due to myriad of reasons. The state government, therefore, decided to rope in central hydro PSUs to give a push to the languishing projects.

Arunachal Pradesh’s Power Commissioner, Ankur Garg, signed the agreements with the heads of the three CPSUs on behalf of the state government in Itanagar in the presence of Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister, R K Singh, State Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and his Deputy CM Chowna Mein.

Water resources experts said that the 12 power projects in Arunachal Pradesh that were officially handed over to three Central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) on August 12 are economically unviable. In 2022, Environment researcher Chintan Sheth said that in Northeast India, infrastructural development can lead to large-scale loss of natural ecosystems including secondary forests and bamboo growth, which in turn can lead to loss of carbon sequestration areas. 

There is a constant fear among the indigenous communities, both in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, that mega projects like these would wreck havoc and submerge the downstream areas. One of the protesters said, "We will shed our blood to protect our land if the government pursues with their plans. We are not giving up on our land. We are more disappointed with the Arunachal Government's forceful power project approvals since 2013. This is gross injustice. No consultation, No PFR, No survey, No dam!"

A senior community member, from the Mebo sub-division, was quoted as saying, "We had a public meeting for the dams and Forest Conservation Act with all the village heads, public leaders, senior citizens and Panchayati Raj Institution members. We have also held a resolution in the meeting that recently, in the Parliament, the Forest Conservation Act was passed, and we stand against such amendments because its completely against our tribes and tribal lands. We demand the Government to take it back. We totally oppose the government's plan to construct mega dam of 10,000 MW on Siang. The government intends to retain China's mega power project dam of 60,000 MW with these dams. It really makes no sense and appears impossible. We are the landowners. Is it not important to get our consent prior to such decisions? Before pursuing such ambitious projects, the governments should look back in the history and see the series of disasters that brought chaos to the land and human lives"

Since 2022, environmental activists, advocates and graffiti artists were detained by the police on multiple occasions for their artistic and peaceful protests against rampant increase in dam construction in the state.

On 14 September 2023, more than 7,000 people gathered at Geku Village, Upper Siang to take oath against the proposed 10,000 MW Siang Dam. Adi Miri, the Priest, Shaman initiated the oath during the anti-dam meeting at Geku, Upper Siang. 

An Assam-based hydrologist, who did not want to be named, said these projects should not have been taken up in the first place. “Apart from being unviable, these guarantee disaster for Arunachal Pradesh and downstream regions in Assam,” he said.

Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, on July 8, 2024, on his visit highlighted Arunachal Pradesh's significant hydropower potential, amounting to about 38% (approximately 50 GW) of India's total. This represents the highest potential among all states in the country. On the same day, activist lawyer Ebo Mili and Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) convener Dunge Apang were detained by the state government. They were released after over 10 hours of detention after signing a Rs 50,000 bond to keep peace until one year or the completion of ongoing inquiry.

During a review of ongoing hydropower projects in the state, discussions centered on the availability of land for Compensatory Afforestation necessary for advancing hydropower projects. Simplifying the process for new connections and making electricity bills more consumer-friendly were also emphasized. Discussions also focused on hydropower generation, transmission, and distribution sectors, highlighting clean energy production and addressing transmission sector challenges and operational maintenance.

India plans to invest $1 billion to rapidly develop 12 hydropower stations in Arunachal Pradesh, a move that may escalate tensions with China. The initiative, supported by the federal finance ministry, aims to facilitate state government involvement in regulatory clearances and local rehabilitation and is expected to be officially announced in the 2024/2025 federal budget. The federal finance ministry has greenlit up to 7.5 billion rupees ($89.85 million) in financial aid for each project. The initiative aims to support northeastern states and expedite regulatory approvals and local rehabilitations. This development is part of broader infrastructure enhancements near the contested border with China.

Expressing concern over the region's vulnerability to natural disasters, the Northeast Human Rights (NEHR) pointed to scientific studies indicating the highly susceptible nature of the South Lhonak Lake to GLOFs. The organization stressed that despite consistent warnings from scientific communities, local activists, and indigenous research organizations, the potential risks of mega-dam projects have not been adequately addressed.

“The deputy commissioner of Siang asked us not to oppose the dam,” said Tarok Siram, the headman of Parong village. “I told him to take the opinion of 116 families in my village. I pointed out that the homes of 43 families will be under water if the dam is built here. The remaining families will have to be relocated.”

The mega power project will submerge the ancestral lands of the Adi community, including the district headquarters of Upper Siang district, Yingkiong, say activists.