Who is Bhanu Tatak: Why immigration blocked her travel to Ireland? How Siang dam protest put her in spotlight

NEW DELHI: Arunachal Pradesh-based anti-dam activist and lawyer Bhanu Tatak was stopped at Delhi airport on Sunday while trying to board a flight to Dublin, after immigration authorities acted on a look-out circular (LOC) linked to two pending police cases in her home state.Who Is Bhanu Tatak?Bhanu serves as the legal adviser of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, a platform that has strongly opposed the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. She has been at the forefront of anti-dam movements, raising concerns about displacement of indigenous people and the ecological risks posed by such mega projects.Cases Against Bhanu TatakAccording to Arunachal Pradesh police, the LOC was not connected to her activism but was specifically tied to cases registered at the Itanagar police station.The first case dates back to 2021, when she allegedly barged into Itanagar’s BB Plaza mall during a protest, leading to charges of criminal trespass.The second case, registered in 2022, accuses her of financing an act of vandalism against the “Wall of Harmony” mural at the civil secretariat. Police claim they found evidence of Bhanu transferring funds for the vandalism.Bhanu was on her way to Ireland for a three-month academic course at Dublin City University starting next week.

Her detention has sparked allegations that she is being harassed for her anti-BJP government stand.Political ControversyThe Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress condemned the action, calling it “highhandedness” and arguing that Bhanu should not have been prevented from traveling abroad over “two cases that are more than three years old.” In a statement, the youth wing alleged: “This is in response to her role in leading protests against the Siang dam project.

This is another fabricated case to silence dissent.”Countering these claims, Arunachal Pradesh IGP (law and order) Chukhu Apa told PTI that Bhanu has “10 to 12 cases” registered against her in recent years. He said she had allegedly incited violence during protests, including leading mobs and urging women protesters to confront a cabinet minister.Bhanu’s case has once again spotlighted the conflict between state-backed hydropower projects and grassroots opposition movements in Arunachal Pradesh.