Arunachal anti-dam activist Bhanu Tatak stopped at Delhi airport from flying to Dublin: Who is she?

Arunachal Pradesh-based activist and lawyer Bhanu Tatak, known for her opposition to mega dam projects in the Siang valley, was stopped at Delhi airport on Sunday while attempting to board a flight to Dublin.

Immigration authorities acted on a look-out circular (LOC) issued in connection with two pending police cases in her home state, officials confirmed.

Bhanu, who serves as the legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, was headed to Ireland for a three-month academic programme at Dublin City University beginning next week.


Her detention has quickly spilled into political controversy, with opposition leaders alleging she is being targeted for her activism against the BJP-led state government’s push for hydropower projects.

Bhanu Tatak: The cases against her

Police officials in Itanagar said the LOC was not related to Bhanu’s anti-dam activism, but specifically tied to cases registered at the local police station.

The first 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, filed in 2022, accuses her of financing vandalism of the “Wall of Harmony” mural at the civil secretariat. In that incident, Assam artist Nilim Mahanta and activist Ebo Mili were also named co-accused. Investigators have claimed they found evidence of Bhanu transferring funds linked to the act.

Amid criticism, Arunachal Pradesh’s Inspector General of Police (law and order) Chukhu Apa told PTI that Tatak had “10 to 12 cases” registered against her in recent years, including allegations of inciting violence, leading mobs, and urging women protesters to confront a cabinet minister.

Politics and protest

Bhanu has long been a prominent face of grassroots campaigns against the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, a mega dam that critics fear could displace indigenous communities and disrupt fragile ecosystems.

The Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress condemned the action against her, calling it an example of “state government’s high-handedness.”

The youth wing said in a statement: “This is in response to her role in leading protests against the Siang dam project. This is another fabricated case to silence dissent. Such a mischievous act won’t yield fruit as we are living in a democratic country, where every individual’s right must be respected.”

(With inputs from ToI, agencies)