PCI shocked at inclusion of senior journalist in search warrant requests

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Senior journalist Tongam Rina. File photo credit: Special arrangement

The Press Club of India (PCI) on Friday (October 30, 2026) expressed shock over the Arunachal Pradesh Police including the name of senior journalist Tongam Rina in their requests for search warrants in connection with the October 23 violence in Pasighat.

“PCI also condemns all attempts by State authorities to intimidate and harass journalists who are reporting on the ongoing protests against the Siang dam project,” read its statement.

“Probing the violence and destruction of property cannot become an excuse for the intimidation of journalists who are covering a movement. The Arunachal Pradesh Police must immediately ensure that journalists including Rina are not harassed in this manner simply for doing their jobs,” said the PCI.

Stating that Tongam Rina had an impressive track record of covering environmental, political, and governance issues in the State, it added: “the inclusion of her name in the list of search warrants, without any justification or links to the violence, is a serious attack on press freedom that cannot be accepted in a democracy like India.”

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