During IDP rally in Imphal Police assault journalist, fires tear gas

IMPHAL: A local journalist from Imphal city in Manipur was brutally assaulted by the police while he was on duty, covering a rally taken out by the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The journalist, a reporter from a local television channel, sustained serious injuries in the assault by the Manipur police.

Manipur police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse a massive rally of IDPs in Singjamei area of Imphal city, resulting in injuries to three individuals, including the journalist.

The rally, organized by the Committee on Protection of Meitei Victims (COPMeV), took place in Singjamei’s Akampat area.

The demonstrators, mainly IDPs from Moreh near the Manipur-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district, planned to march approximately two kilometres to the chief minister’s secretariat to submit a memorandum demanding the right to return to their native places.

School students from the IDP camps also participated in the rally.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Opposition Manipur Congress MLA Kangujam Ranjit expressed shock at the police’s actions during the rally.

Ranjit raised concerns about police excesses during the zero hour of the state assembly’s budget session on Thursday (August 01).

In response, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh addressed the state assembly, stating that certain individuals are attempting to gain political advantage from the plight of the IDPs taking shelter in relief camps across the state.