Rajeev Bhattacharyya

The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) on Thursday strongly condemned the inclusion of senior journalist Tongam Rina in a police application seeking search warrants in connection with the October 23 violence in Pasighat during protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Calling the development a serious threat to press freedom, the two organisations alleged that the move raised concerns over the possible misuse of investigative powers to intimidate journalists reporting on contentious public issues. Rina, deputy editor of The Arunachal Times, is among four persons whose residences police have sought permission to search as part of the ongoing investigation. According to an application submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of East Siang district on October 27, investigating officer sub-inspector Kodak Dagium sought search warrants against activists Otul Jerang (30) and Tajong Talom (30), advocate Sunny Tayeng and Rina under Section 96 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Police have sought permission to seize mobile phones, digital devices, clothing allegedly worn during the violence and other materials considered relevant to the investigation. In a joint statement, APC and APUWJ asserted that journalism was not a crime and that reporting on protests or questioning those in power could not be equated with criminal activity. The organisations said Rina's inclusion in the proceedings, without publicly disclosed evidence linking her to any criminal act, raised serious questions about the treatment of independent journalists. While condemning the violence, arson and destruction of property in Pasighat, the press bodies maintained that criminal investigations must not become instruments to suppress critical reporting. They demanded that the state government and police immediately clarify the grounds for Rina's inclusion, urgently review the matter and take corrective measures if her inclusion was found unjustified. Warning that such actions could create a chilling effect on independent journalism, the organisations said they would strongly resist any attempt to intimidate or harass journalists performing their professional duties. The police application follows violent protests in Pasighat on October 23 and 24, during which police vehicles, government establishments and private properties were allegedly vandalised or set ablaze. Police have registered eight cases and arrested 26 people, including five juveniles, in connection with the violence. The court's decision on the search warrant application was not immediately available. #ArunachalPradesh