Since 2011 it has been witness to public protests against the state government’s decision to set up many dams across the district. The protests are being driven by environmental and religious concerns. Reportedly, 13 of the over 150 hydroelectric projects planned by the state since 2005 are in Tawang. To stall this spree of dam construction, people from the Monpa community joined hands with local Buddhist monks in 2011 to form the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF).

National Green Tribunal had recently, on April 7th 2016, suspended the environmental clearance of the 780 MW, Rs 6400 crore Nyamjang Chhu project in response to an Appeal filed by the Save Mon Region Federation. The Tribunal had asked for a fresh impact assessment studies, public hearing for local people and appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley & Hydroelectric projects and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). A major issue was the impact on the wintering habitat of the Black-necked crane, a vulnerable bird considered sacred by the Monpa people, considered an embodiment of the 6th Dalai Lama who was from Tawang and wrote about the bird in his poetry. The NGT noted that the project – promoted by the Noida-based steel conglomerate LNJ Bhilwara Group – did not consider its impact on the habitat of the black-necked crane, which is endemic to the region. The bird is rated “vulnerable” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of endangered species and is listed in schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Prohibition) Act 1972.

SMRF general secretary Lama Lobsang Gyatso said, “The NGT’s decision to suspend work on the project has led those with vested interest in the state to suddenly look at us as a powerful enemy.” Corruption is also alleged. According to Gyatso, “it is clear to the local people that while somebody powerful is making money on these projects, they have not only been unable to provide electricity but are also degrading the environment they live in”.

The week before May 2, Gyatso was arrested twice for reasons he said are “linked to not only the NGT decision but also our plan to take legal recourse for other hydel projects.”  He explained that he had been in the lock-up of the Tawang police station since his re-arrest on April 28. On May 2, he was taken to the court of the district magistrate for hearing on his bail application. Since morning, a large number of villagers and lamas assembled in front of the police station seeking his release. He was was denied bail. Many villagers and lamas have already been angry at the biased attitude of the district administration. On knowing about the denial of bail, the small crowd (perhaps 200 people) began moving towards the police station. They were then fired upon with live bullets. No tear gas and no rubber bullets were used. One of the deceased was hit on the forehead. Among the dead, there was a woman.  The other deceased was a student of the Tawang monastery. By mid-afternoon, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were clamped on Tawang town and the army was called in to stage a flag march. It was reported that Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who was in New Delhi, ordered a judicial inquiry into the firing. Pul also announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the family of those killed.

Local MP and Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, was said to have called up the Tawang deputy commissioner and SP, downplaying the situation and relying on the army. The National Alliance of People's Movement demanded an official commission of enquiry.

National Green Tribunal stopped in April 2016 the environmental clearance of the 780 MW, Rs 6400 crore (above one billion USD) Nyamjang Chhu project in response to an appeal filed by the Save Mon Region Federation.