Tensions erupted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district after residents of Mepsoro Village under Toru Circle staged a protest against the proposed Field Ammunition Depot (FAD) project. They raised concerns over possible displacement and the loss of ancestral land.
The protest was attended by residents from more than 20 households. According to them, around 1,200 acres of land could be allotted for the proposed facility, putting several families at risk of losing land on which they have depended for generations. The villagers alleged the project could affect communities that rely heavily on agriculture and natural resources for their daily needs.
🎥 | #Arunachal: A proposal to establish a 1,200-acre Field Ammunition Depot at Mepsoro village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district has triggered anxiety and growing opposition among residents and neighbouring settlements. The proposed facility, planned on a vast stretch of land under Toru Circle, has raised concerns over land acquisition, public safety and the potential impact on the livelihoods of local communities. Residents have expressed apprehension about living in close proximity to an ammunition storage facility, questioning the potential risks to families, children and farmers in the surrounding areas. The proposed land requirement has also emerged as a major concern, with villagers fearing that the project could affect their ancestral land, agricultural activities and traditional livelihoods. They have sought clarity on the extent of land involved, compensation provisions and safeguards for affected families. Residents allege that adequate information about the project has not been shared so far. They have urged the Indian Army and district administration to disclose the details and ensure meaningful consultation with the affected communities before proceeding further. A joint survey involving government officials, Army representatives, police personnel and local leaders was planned to assess the proposed site. However, the exercise has further heightened apprehension among residents, who insist that their concerns must be addressed before any decision is taken. Community representatives have sought a clear explanation of the rationale behind selecting Mepsoro for the proposed facility, the safety measures envisaged and the arrangements to protect nearby settlements. Local groups have also called for transparency and wider public consultation, maintaining that the concerns and consent of affected communities should receive priority in the decision-making process.
— NORTHEAST TODAY (@NortheastToday) November 10, 2026
Raising slogans such as “We Oppose FAD”, the protesters demanded that the proposed ammunition depot should not be established in their area. They also questioned why the village had been selected for the project and alleged that adequate information about its possible impact had not been shared with them.
Residents demand transparency and consultation
The protesting residents said any major project involving land and local communities must be discussed openly with the people who could be affected. They demanded that the authorities explain the purpose of the proposed facility, its possible impact on nearby settlements and the arrangements planned to protect residents.
The villagers also urged the Indian Army and district administration to share complete details of the project and ensure meaningful consultation before taking any further steps. They said the concerns of affected families and their consent should be considered before decisions involving their ancestral land are made.
Local Panchayat leaders, Gaon Burahs, village elders and other residents also extended support to the protest. However, the demonstration witnessed heated arguments and physical altercations among some individuals, reflecting the growing tension over the proposed project.
Local Zilla Parishad Member Tana Tuma Tara expressed concern over the developments, saying that he was also unaware of the proposed Field Ammunition Depot in the area. He extended support to the residents and their demand for clarity.
A joint survey involving government officials, Army representatives, police personnel and local leaders was planned to assess the proposed site. However, the plan has added to residents’ apprehensions, with community members insisting that their concerns must be addressed before the exercise moves forward. They have also sought an explanation for selecting Mepsoro, details of the safety measures planned and information on how nearby settlements would be protected.
Administration announces consultation meeting on 14th November
Meanwhile, Sagalee Additional Deputy Commissioner Kipa Raja informed media persons at the protest site that a consultation meeting on the proposed FAD project would be held at Toru Circle on 14th November. The meeting is expected to bring residents, local representatives and the administration together to discuss the concerns surrounding the project.
The latest protest in Papum Pare comes after violent demonstrations in other parts of Arunachal Pradesh over the proposed Siang dam project. On 23rd October, a mob in Pasighat, East Siang district, set fire to an NHPC office, a local police station and seven police vehicles. Protesters also attacked the residences of political leaders and attempted to enforce a 12-hour bandh across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts. The protesters were demanding the release of 10 people arrested during earlier agitations, the withdrawal of security forces and an immediate halt to the Pre-Feasibility Report survey work for the proposed dam.
