In a shocking incident in violence-hit Manipur, miscreants targeted the houses of eight journalists working for various state dailies and electronic media houses in Moreh. This brazen attack has prompted an immediate joint statement by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM), strongly condemning the violence and urging the security forces to be held accountable for their inaction.

The area where the tragic incident occurred reportedly had a significant presence of Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces, but they failed to prevent the attack. The miscreants first looted the residence of Lairenlakpam Maipak, the correspondent of People’s Chronicle, along with S Santipur at Moreh Tali Lambi, before setting their houses on fire.

Among the affected journalists were Ashem Lalit from Imphal Free Press, B Ramchandra Sharma from DDK, Leishangthem Brojendro from AIR, Sagolsem Sanjoy from ISTV News, Maibam Inaocha from Impact TV, and Yumnam Mangang from Sanaleibak.

Both the AMWJU and the EGM are demanding immediate relief for the affected journalists from the government. They are also calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, with strict action taken against the perpetrators responsible for this heinous act.

The attack on journalists poses a serious threat to press freedom in Manipur, and it is crucial that the government takes decisive steps to ensure the safety of journalists and protect their right to freedom of expression, as expressed by a senior journalist.