Following the incident at Laii village under Manipur’s Senapati district where Dip Saikia, a reporter of Nagaland-based Hornbill TV, was allegedly shot with an air gun and injured while covering a flower festival, the Naga Journalists Union Manipur (NJUM) has constituted a fact-finding team to ascertain the situation in detail.

The team, comprising Samuel Pao (The People’s Chronicle/ISTV), Solomon Sha (The Hornbill) and Kibambe Felix (Times of Senapati), has been tasked with submitting its report to the NJUM President by September 3. The Union urged concerned authorities and stakeholders to extend full cooperation. While condemning the incident, it also extended concern and solidarity for the recovery of the injured journalist.

According to sources, after the incident Saikia was first brought to Dimapur and admitted to CIHSR for treatment. On Sunday, he was shifted to Guwahati for advanced medical care.

Laii village clarifies

Meanwhile, the Laii Village Authority Council (LVAC) issued a statement expressing concern and regret over the “unfortunate incident” involving the Hornbill TV reporter during the Zinnia Festival.

The LVAC clarified that the perpetrator was not a resident of Laii but a tourist from Phuba Khuman, currently residing at Council, Senapati.

“Possession of an air-gun and hunting in the village is strictly prohibited under our local regulations. The incident occurred approximately 3 km south of the Zinnia Festival spot, within our jurisdiction,” the statement said.

It further informed that, according to the accused’s own admission before the village authority, he discharged the air gun with the intention of shooting a bird and did not realize the victim was present in the area.

Expressing solidarity with the victim, the LVAC conveyed its apologies to visitors for the distress caused and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Nagaland media fraternity, political parties stand in solidarity with injured journalist

The Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident in Laii Village, Senapati District, Manipur, on August 30 in which Hornbill TV journalist Dip Saikia was injured by airgun pellets while on assignment. It wished him a swift and full recovery.

“While initial reports suggested a possible deliberate attack, subsequent clarifications from different quarters indicate that the shooting was unintentional. Nevertheless, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain troubling,” the DPC stated.

It also said questions persist as to how a visitor was able to carry a weapon within the jurisdiction of a host village when customary law across Naga villages prohibits the possession of hunting arms by outsiders.

The DPC underscored that the safety of journalists, whether in conflict zones or cultural gatherings, must be ensured at all times. Any environment where reporters are made vulnerable—be it through negligence, oversight, or direct hostility—poses a serious challenge to press freedom, it added.

The DPC urged the concerned authorities, including the Laii Village Council, the Senapati District administration, and law enforcement, to provide a transparent account of the incident and ensure that due responsibility is taken.

At the same time, the DPC also appealed to media colleagues and the wider public to refrain from politicising the matter until all facts are established.

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Kohima Press Club:

The Kohima Press Club (KPC) has expressed deep concern on the unfortunate incident that occurred at Laii village under Senapati district in Manipur on August 30 where a reporter from Nagaland-based Hornbill TV sustained injuries during his return journey after covering the Zinnia Flower Festival in the village.

The KPC denounced the incident that has led to the injury of a fellow journalist. It also extended solidarity and send prayers to the victim for a speedy recovery.

While the incident may have been accidental as suggested by reports, the KPC, however, urged the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure the safety of every citizen.

It also appeal for a conducive environment be provided for journalists to work in.

Mokokchung Times:

Mokokchung Times expressed shock and condemnation at the shooting of Hornbill TV reporter, Dip Saikia on August 30 while he was on assignment at Laii Village in Senapati district, Manipur.

“An attack on a journalist is not only a crime against an individual but also an assault on the freedom of the press and the democratic values that safeguard our society. Such incidents are deeply disturbing and highlight the growing risks faced by journalists while carrying out their professional duties,” the news Daily stated.

Standing in solidarity with Dip Saikia, his family and colleagues at Hornbill TV, it prayed for the speedy recovery of the journalist. It also called upon the authorities concerned to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident so that justice is delivered without delay.

Mokokchung Times further reiterated that violence against journalists has no place in a democratic society, and protecting press freedom is a responsibility that must be shared by the state, civil society, and citizens alike.

Ao Milen:

Vernacular Daily, Ao Milen while expressing shock at the incident, called upon the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and fairly, so that freedom of the press and democratic values are safeguarded.

In this moment of grief, Ao Milen stood in solidarity with Dip Saikia, and prayed for his speedy recovery. Ao Milen reaffirmed that violence has no place in a democratic society and urged all right-thinking individuals, organizations, and civil societies to collectively denounce such acts and work towards preserving peace, justice, and freedom.

NPCC: 

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has expressed deep concern and condemned the unfortunate incident in which Dip Saikia, a reporter with Hornbill TV, sustained injuries while covering the Zinnia Flower Festival at Laii Village, Senapati district, Manipur.

Learning that his condition his stable, the NPCC wished him speedy and complete recovery. The NPCC also extended solidarity with Saikia, his family, and the entire Hornbill TV team during this challenging time.

While initial reports indicate that the incident may have been accidental, the NPCC urged the governments of Manipur and Nagaland to ensure a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to rule out any criminal intent and to uphold the safety of media professionals.

NPP Nagaland:

The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland expressed deep shock and anguish over the brutal attack on journalist Deep Sankia, who was reportedly shot in Manipur.

“Such a heinous act against a member of the press is not only an attack on an individual but also a direct assault on freedom of the press and democracy itself,” the NPCC stated.

The NPP Nagaland also condemned this act of violence and urged the Government of Manipur and central authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

“Journalism is the voice of the people, and any attempt to silence it is a grave threat to society at large,” it stated.

The party extended heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the victim’s family, colleagues, and the entire journalist fraternity.

The NPP Nagaland further appealed to all right-thinking citizens and organisations to unite against such crimes and uphold the sanctity of democratic values, human rights, and the safety of journalists.