The people of Laii Village have issued a clarification over the “unfortunate incident involving a Hornbill TV reporter, Dip Saikia, during the Zinnia Festival held at Laii Village, Senapati.”
In a statement, the village authority said, “The incident is deeply concerning and do not reflect the spirit of Peace-Loving and hospitable community like ours.”
Clarifying the identity of the accused, the statement said, “The perpetrator involved, Raiveinii Ramai, is not from Laii Village, but from Phuba Khuman and currently resides at Council, Senapati. He was a visiting tourist at the ongoing Zinnia Festival being held in the village.”
The village further noted that “possession of an air-gun and hunting in the village is prohibited under our local regulations” and that the incident took place “approximately 3 km south of the Zinnia festival spot, within our jurisdiction.”
According to the statement, “Mr. Raiveinii Ramai before the village authority… admitted to discharging an air-gun with the intention of shooting a bird, and asserted that he did not perceive the presence of the victim at the time of shooting.”
Reiterating that “although the incident occurred within our jurisdiction, the people of Laii had no involvement in this tragic incident,” the authority also condemned “certain media reports that have sought to tarnish the image of Laii Village by reporting without ascertaining the ground reality.”
“While we fully condemn the unfortunate incident, we strongly object to any attempt to portray Laii Village in a negative light without verification of facts. Such reporting is misleading, unfair, and damaging to the reputation of a community that has always been peace-loving and hospitable,” the statement read.
It added, “We urge the media to refrain from politicizing this matter and to report ascertaining facts.”
The village said it stands with the victim, wishes him a speedy recovery, pledges full cooperation for justice, apologizes to visitors for the distress, and reaffirmed its commitment to a safe and welcoming environment.
The clarification was jointly issued by K Salouni, Chairman, Laii Village, and K Ngaopuni, Secretary, Laii Village.
NPCC: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) also expressed concern over the incident. In a statement, it said, “We are relieved to learn that his condition is now stable and wish him a speedy and complete recovery. We stand in solidarity with Shri. Saikia, his family, and the entire Hornbill TV team during this challenging time.” 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.”
Ao Milen: Ao Milen newspaper also condemned the attack as “inhumane and barbaric,” adding, “At a time when journalists strive to uphold truth in the face of challenges, it is deeply disturbing that their efforts are undermined by threats, intimidation, and violence. Such actions strike at the very foundation of democracy.”
Ao Milen further called on authorities to “ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and fairly, so that freedom of the press and democratic values are safeguarded. Failure to address such incidents only breeds fear and disorder in society.” The organization expressed solidarity with Saikia and his family, saying, “We also extend our heartfelt support to his family and to the Hornbill TV fraternity. Violence has no place in a democratic society, and we urge all right-thinking individuals, organizations, and civil societies to collectively denounce such acts and work towards preserving peace, justice, and freedom.”
DPC: Meanwhile, 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.” The DPC wished him “a swift and full recovery.”
While initial reports suggested a possible deliberate attack, the DPC noted that “subsequent clarifications from different quarters indicate that the shooting was unintentional.” Nevertheless, it stressed that “the circumstances surrounding the incident remain troubling.” The club questioned “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.” It added that “any environment where reporters are made vulnerable—be it through negligence, oversight, or direct hostility—poses a serious challenge to press freedom.”
The press body 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 appealed “to media colleagues and the wider public to refrain from politicising the matter until all facts are established.”
KPC: Kohima Press Club also denounced the unfortunate incident that has led to the injury of a fellow journalist and extended their solidarity and prayers to the victim for a speedy recovery.
The club noted that “while the incident may have been accidental as suggested by reports, we however urge the concerned authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure the safety of every citizen.”
The KPC further reiterated its appeal that “a conducive environment be provided for journalists to work in.”