Arunachal environmental activist barred from travelling to Ireland after lookout notice

Arunachal Pradesh-based environmental activist Bhanu Tatak was stopped by immigration authorities from boarding a flight to Ireland at the Delhi airport on Sunday based on a lookout circular issued against her by the state police, The Indian Express reported.

The circular is used by law enforcement authorities to check whether a person leaving the country is wanted by the police.

Tatak, a legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, was scheduled to attend a three-month academic programme at Dublin City University beginning Monday, The Telegraph reported.

The lookout circular is linked to a first information report registered in June in connection with a protest against the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh.

On May 27, during a protest against the project in Boleng town, demonstrators disrupted a visit by the local MLA and state minister Ojing Tasing. The situation escalated into a confrontation, and a woman was reportedly injured as the minister was escorted out under security.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Chukhu Apa confirmed that there is a lookout circular for Tatak, stating that the activist faces “10 to 12 cases” for her alleged role in inciting violence during the protests, including leading “mobs” and encouraging physical confrontation with the minister, The Indian Express reported.

The protesters contend that the massive hydroelectric dam, which...

Read more