Hornbill TV, Mokokchung Times condemn attack
Nagaland-based news channel Hornbill TV reporter Dip Saikia was shot while covering a flower festival at Laii Village in Senapati district on Saturday, August 30.
According to Hornbill TV, Saikia sustained injuries to his armpit and leg. The assailant, a youth, was reportedly apprehended by villagers at the scene. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Hornbill TV denounced the act, stating it will pursue all legal and investigative avenues to ensure justice, describing the incident as “shocking and reprehensible.”
In a letter addressed to newspapers across Nagaland, Hornbill TV described the incident as “shocking and reprehensible,” emphasizing that such violence is a direct assault on press freedom and the democratic values journalists uphold.
The letter highlighted the risks journalists face in the region, noting that media professionals are often subjected to intimidation, harassment, or violence while performing their duties. Hornbill TV called upon the governments of Nagaland and Manipur, law enforcement agencies, and other authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. It urged that the assailant and any accomplices be brought swiftly to justice.
Hornbill TV also extended solidarity to Saikia’s family and wished him a speedy recovery, stressing that violence has no place in a democratic society and that it is the collective responsibility of the state, civil society, and citizens to safeguard press freedom.
Joining the condemnation, Mokokchung Times expressed deep shock at the incident, stating that “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.”
The newspaper added that such incidents are deeply disturbing and highlight the growing risks faced by journalists while carrying out their professional duties. Mokokchung Times extended their solidarity with Dip Saikia, his family, and colleagues at Hornbill TV and wished for a speedy recovery.
Mokokchung Times called upon authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation so that justice is delivered without delay, reiterating that safeguarding press freedom is a shared responsibility of the state, civil society, and citizens.
