MANIPUR HILL JOURNALISTS UNION

Regd. No. 23 of 1983

Head Office : I.B.Road, H.Q.Veng, Lamka, Churachandpur – 795128, Manipur

 MHJU CONDEMNS THE MURDER ATTEMPT ON JOURNALIST TONGAM RINA

The Manipur Hill Journalists Union strongly condemns the murder attempt on Tongam Rina, associate editor of Arunachal Times on July 15 by unknown miscreants. We, MHJU, vehemently sought the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to take stern action against the culprits and safeguard the journalists in North East India. Attacking journalist is a shameful and cowardice act.

Journalist Rina (34) was shot at by unknown gunmen and critically injured on last Sunday when she entering her office. The shooting of a woman journalist shocked the media fraternity. This should not happen at all but it is unfortunate to say that journalists in the North East regions are becoming easy targets of the miscreants. In many of the past instances, there have been no arrests nor much less is there headway as to the killers or their motives. Attacking the media/ journalists is a gross violation of freedom of speech and expression, and attacks on journalists and intimidation of editors and writers cotinued unabated in the North East states. Therefore, it is the high time that the government must safeguard the media which is regarded as the fourth estate in a democratic India.

MHJU also shared the pains and anguishes on the recent attack ot its fellow journalist in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh. We also appeals to the general public to shun violence against the media persons. The Union (MHJU) today sought the state government to take speedy action against the culprits and safeguard the journalists in the state.

Issued in public interest,

(S. Nengkhanlun)
Secretary,
Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU),
Lamka, Churachandpur, Manipur
Dated: 18th July, 2012