PASIGHAT — Arunachal Pradesh Police have sought warrants to search the homes of activists, advocates and journalists over the violence during protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
In an October 27 application to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, East Siang, investigating officer Sub-Inspector Kodak Dagium of East Siang police asked permission to seize clothing, phones and devices with photos or videos to establish individual roles and prevent tampering with evidence.
Four persons named: activists Otul alias Tatul Jerang, 30, of Upper Banskota, and Tajong Talom, 30, of Gumin Nagar, advocate Sunny Tayeng, who represents local environmental activists opposing the project, and journalist Tongam Rina, deputy editor of The Arunachal Times, all residents of Pasighat.
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The application was filed under Section 96 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. It says materials collected during investigation led to reasonable suspicion that articles linked to incident could be found at their residences – clothes worn during violence, mobile phones, digital devices containing relevant photographs or video recordings, and other evidence.
The police application follows violence in Pasighat on October 23 and 24, when protests against the proposed 11,200 MW SUMP escalated into clashes, arson, vandalism, stone-pelting, assaults on police personnel, torching of police and NHPC vehicles, attacks on offices of former MLA Kaling Moyong, MLA Ninong Ering, and the Adi Baane Kebang apex body office, and the Pasighat Police Station. Police have registered eight FIRs under BNS and Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, arrested 26 people including five juveniles, detained six others.
The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Press Club (APC) strongly condemned the inclusion of Tongam Rina, deputy editor of The Arunachal Times, in the application. Arunachal Publishers and Broadcasters Guild also opposed move, warning investigative action must not intimidate media. Rina, known for reporting on hydropower and governance, had previously survived a gun attack in 2012 linked to her reporting. Sunny Tayeng’s inclusion also drew attention given his legal aid to anti-dam protesters.
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Analytical lens: The Siang project, billed by Centre as strategic to counter China’s 60,000 MW Yarlung Tsangpo dam, faces fierce Adi tribal opposition over ancestral land, livelihood, spiritual ties to Siang river – considered mother. State assures no project without consent, but pre-feasibility survey continues with central forces. Police action targeting journalist and lawyer risks chilling effect and escalating Itanagar protests – on Thursday hundreds rallied in capital demanding release of 27 youths and cancellation of survey. IGP Central Range Hibu Tamang said court permission not received till filing.
For a frontier state where press freedom is already damned, seizing phones of journalists to establish individual roles sets a precedent that courts will need to weigh carefully.
*Tags:* #SiangDam #SUMP #TongamRina #ArunachalPolice #PasighatViolence #PressFreedom #APUWJ #BNSS #EastSiang #AdiTribe