'I was shot twice, I suspect attack wasn't random', TV journalist shot in Manipur's Senapati

Deep Saikia, a journalist covering a flower festival in Senapati, was shot in his leg and armpit, the only one hit among five, amid prior life threats. The attack has sparked alarm over press freedom, with NUJM demanding an impartial probe.

Imphal/ Guwahati: A TV journalist was shot in Manipur's Senapati district, where he went to cover a flower festival, police said on Sunday.

Deep Saikia, a journalist of the Nagaland-based Hornbill TV, received gunshot wounds on his armpits and legs, they said.

The incident happened on Saturday evening in Laii village of the Naga-dominated district, where Saikia was covering the Zinnia flower festival, they added.

The gunman was caught along with an air gun by the locals and handed over to the police, officials said.

Police said they were investigating the motive behind the attack on the journalist.

Speaking to PTI from a private hospital in Dimapur, where he was admitted, Saikia said, "We were five persons returning after covering the event and had got out of our vehicle to relieve ourselves. Suddenly, I was shot in my right leg, and within a gap of a few seconds, the second bullet hit my right armpit."

"I was the only one shot twice among the five people, and it makes me suspect that it was not random bullets that hit me," he said.

Saikia, who is from Assam's Jorhat district, claimed he has received threats to his life, which he has informed the police.

"Without evidence, I cannot name anyone. But life threats were there against me related to my work, and I urge the police to investigate all angles," he added.

Saikia is likely to be shifted to Guwahati for advanced treatment as the bullets are yet to be extracted from his body.

Condemning the attack, Naga Journalists' Union Manipur (NUJM) formed its own fact-finding committee on Sunday.

A few days back, Nagaland's Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton had berated Saikia at a public event in Wokha district over his report. The report was based on allegations by locals that authorities have been inactive on their side of the boundary while a massive eviction drive was undertaken in Assam.

Hornbill TV editor Dzuthono Mekro condemned the attack, calling it an assault on press freedom and democratic values.

He also urged the governments of Nagaland and Manipur to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.