Rajesh Kumar Arunachal DGP is the latest appointment in Arunachal Pradesh’s police administration, with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) naming senior IPS officer Rajesh Kumar as the state’s new Director General of Police (DGP). The appointment comes at a sensitive time, as protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) continue to intensify, raising concerns over public order, indigenous rights and the future of communities living along the Siang River.
The 1995-batch AGMUT cadre officer will replace Shiv Darshan Singh Jamwal, who has been transferred to Delhi. The leadership change comes amid growing tensions in the Siang Valley, where sections of the indigenous Adi community have strongly opposed the proposed hydropower project.
Rajesh Kumar appointed as Arunachal Pradesh DGP
According to the MHA order dated November 3, 2026, Rajesh Kumar has been posted as the new DGP of Arunachal Pradesh with immediate effect and until further orders.
Before his appointment, Kumar was serving as Special Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved his premature repatriation to his parent AGMUT cadre on November 2.
The appointment follows a reshuffle involving two senior IPS officers belonging to the 1995 batch. While Kumar has been assigned responsibility for leading the Arunachal Pradesh Police, his predecessor, Shiv Darshan Singh Jamwal, has been transferred to Delhi.
Kumar’s return from central deputation marks an important administrative change for the northeastern state. His appointment also places him at the centre of a challenging law-and-order situation, particularly in districts affected by opposition to the proposed Siang project.
Siang hydropower project protests intensify
The leadership change comes against the backdrop of sustained protests over the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, one of India’s largest planned hydropower initiatives.
The project has faced opposition from sections of the Adi community, particularly residents of areas that could be affected by the proposed construction. Community members fear that the project could submerge ancestral villages, displace families and destroy agricultural land and forests.
Protesters have also expressed concerns about the potential loss of traditional livelihoods, cultural heritage and community identity. For many residents, the opposition goes beyond the construction of a dam and concerns the long-term survival of their ancestral settlements.
Tensions escalated in October when demonstrations in Pasighat turned violent. Clashes between protesters and police resulted in arrests, while incidents of stone-pelting, arson and damage to public property were reported.
The situation prompted authorities to increase security deployment in the region. Hundreds of additional security personnel were sent to Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the strategically important Siang Valley, to prevent further violence and maintain law and order.
Previous DGP faced criticism over protest handling
The transfer of Shiv Darshan Singh Jamwal has attracted attention because the state police faced criticism over their handling of the anti-dam demonstrations in Pasighat.
Jamwal had assumed the position of Arunachal Pradesh DGP in January 2026. His transfer to Delhi comes as tensions surrounding the proposed hydropower project continue to create administrative and security challenges.
The appointment of Rajesh Kumar therefore comes at a time when the state government and police administration must balance security requirements with the concerns of indigenous communities.
However, the MHA order does not explicitly connect Jamwal’s transfer to the protests or specify that the reshuffle was a response to the police handling of the demonstrations.
Rajesh Kumar’s CRPF experience comes into focus
Kumar brings considerable experience from his service in the central security establishment. He joined the CRPF on central deputation in 2018 and subsequently held important operational responsibilities.
Following the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack, he was appointed Inspector General (Operations) in the CRPF. He later served as Special Director General, giving him experience in handling security-related responsibilities.
His experience in central security operations could be significant as Arunachal Pradesh deals with emerging law-and-order challenges.
Notably, Kumar has not previously served in Arunachal Pradesh, according to local reports. His understanding of the state’s geographical, social and security conditions will therefore be important as he takes charge of the police force.
Government faces challenge over Siang project
The proposed hydropower project also carries strategic importance for the Centre. China’s massive hydropower project planned on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, which enters India as the Siang, has added a regional security dimension to the debate.
The Centre views the proposed project as important in the context of India’s water security and strategic interests along the international border.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has maintained that no decision on dam construction has been taken without consulting affected communities. He clarified that the government is currently considering a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) to examine the project’s viability and possible implications.
Khandu also appealed to protesters to withdraw their proposed 36-hour shutdown in the Upper Siang region, stressing that discussions have not reached the stage of actual dam construction.
As Rajesh Kumar takes charge, maintaining peace while ensuring that public concerns receive attention will remain a major challenge. The coming weeks will be important for the new police chief as Arunachal Pradesh navigates growing opposition to the Siang project alongside broader security and administrative responsibilities.
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