GUWAHATI: Dip Saikia, a journalist with Nagaland’s Hornbill TV, was shot at in Laii village, located in Manipur’s Naga-majority Senapati district, on Saturday evening.
Saikia, who hails from Assam, was attacked while on assignment, sustaining injuries to his armpit and leg. The attacker was reportedly apprehended by locals.
Hornbill TV issued a statement condemning the “shocking and reprehensible” attack, which occurred while Saikia was covering a cultural event. "The shooting of Mr. Saikia is not just an assault on his person but a direct attack on press freedom and the democratic values we uphold," said Dzuthono Mekro, the editor of Hornbill TV.
“Violence against media professionals must not be tolerated in a society that values justice, transparency, and accountability,” Mekro added.
The incident has raised concerns over the increasing hostility faced by journalists in the region while carrying out their professional duties. The editor called on the governments of Nagaland and Manipur, as well as law enforcement agencies, to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
Hornbill TV further demanded swift justice for the assailant and any accomplices, asserting that crimes against journalists should not go unpunished.