Dip Saikia, a TV journalist with Nagaland-based Hornbill TV, was shot and injured in Laii village, located in Manipur’s Naga-majority Senapati district, on Saturday evening. Saikia, hailing from Assam, was attacked while covering a cultural event, sustaining gunshot wounds to his armpit and thigh. He is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Local residents reportedly apprehended the assailant following the incident. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack.
Hornbill TV strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “outrageous and unacceptable.” Editor Dzuthono Mekro stated, “The assault on Dip Saikia is not only an attack on an individual but a grave threat to press freedom and the democratic principles we cherish.” Mekro emphasized that violence against journalists undermines justice, transparency, and accountability.
The shooting has heightened concerns about the growing dangers faced by journalists in the region. Hornbill TV has urged the governments of Nagaland and Manipur, along with law enforcement, to conduct a swift and impartial investigation. The outlet also demanded prompt justice for the attacker and any accomplices, stressing that crimes against media professionals must not go unpunished.
This incident highlights the increasing risks for journalists in conflict-prone areas, prompting urgent calls for enhanced protections for those in the field.
