Manipur Journalists stage protest after attack on Khoiram Loyalakpa

Journalists in Manipur strongly condemned the brutal attack on senior journalist Khoiram Loyalakpa, Editor-in-Chief of the vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang, and staged a sit-in protest at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai in Imphal West on Friday, February 20.

 

The protest was jointly organised by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild of Manipur (EGM).

 

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the protest, AMWJU Vice President Sonia Sorensangbam described the brazen attack on a media person as highly unfortunate and termed it an assault on press freedom. She said such incidents must not be allowed to recur in the future.

 

She further stated that the journalist fraternity would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister later in the day, demanding that the perpetrators be identified and punished. She also urged the concerned authorities to conduct a fair investigation and deliver justice at the earliest.

 

According to reports, unknown armed assailants opened fire on the vehicle of Khoiram Loyalakpa before physically assaulting him late night on February 18, in Imphal East district.

 

The incident occurred around 10 PM near Hatta War Cemetery under the jurisdiction of Porompat Police Station.

 

Sources said a car suspected to be a Maruti Swift had been trailing Loyalakpa’s vehicle before intercepting it on the road. The assailants allegedly blocked his path, alighted from their vehicle and fired two rounds at the left window glass of his car. They then reportedly dragged him out of the vehicle and assaulted him with a hard object, causing injuries to his face and teeth.