Manipur journalists protest after editor’s assault

Imphal, Feb 20: Journalists in Manipur urged the Manipur chief minister for “urgent action to ensure a secure environment for journalists working in Manipur”.

Journalists in Imphal carried out a sit-in protest on Friday after Khoirom Loiyalakpa, editor of daily newspaper Naharolgi Thoudang, was beaten up by armed persons in Imphal East district late Wednesday night. Reasons for the act and the identities of the perpetrators are not known to date.

After the sit-in protest, the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) jointly submitted a memorandum to the Manipur chief minister, expressing their “profound concern and deep anguish” over the recent attack on Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of Naharolgi Thoudang, “who was shot at and severely beaten by unidentified assailants while traveling in his car on February 18, 2026”. He has been grievously injured and is currently undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Hospital, the memorandum mentioned.

It said this “brutal attack marks yet another assault on a working journalist in the state of Manipur”. Unfortunately, it is not an isolated incident. In the past, Loyalakpa and other media practitioners have been targeted, threatened, and intimidated by acts which not only endanger individual lives but also undermine freedom of expression and democratic principles, the two journalist bodies said in the memorandum.

Earlier complaints and appeals, including representations made by the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild of Manipur (EGM) to the Director General of Police, Manipur, have sought a secure environment for journalists. However, attacks have continued, and no effective deterrent measures have been instituted, they rued.

The two journalist bodies then said “this state of insecurity” has reached a critical level. Journalists in Manipur must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence, retaliation, or reprisal, they added.

In view of the foregoing, the AMWJU and the EGM “respectfully” urged the chief minister to take immediate and time-bound registration of FIR against the perpetrators of the attack on Khoirom Loyalakpa. They also urged the chief minister for a swift and transparent investigation to identify, apprehend, and prosecute all persons responsible for this crime. The two journalist bodies further urged the chief minister for protection measures and safety protocols for journalists, reporters, and editors working across the state including threat assessment and preventive mechanisms.

They also urged the chief minister for “periodic engagement” with journalists’ associations such as the AMWJU and the EGM to understand ongoing safety concerns and implement suitable safeguards.

The two journalist bodies then drew attention to the fundamental role of a free press in strengthening democratic governance, ensuring accountability, and upholding the rule of law. They said the repeated targeting of journalists weakens public confidence and fosters an environment of fear and self-censorship.

The AMWJU and the EGM “earnestly” appealed to “your leadership to ensure justice for Loyalakpa and safeguard the right to life, liberty, and freedom of the press for all media professionals in Manipur”.