A JOURNALIST of a private TV channel was killed in police firing on supporters of the indefinite general strike in northeast Indian state Manipur on Sunday (December 23).
Curfew was imposed again for 16 hours in Imphal East and West districts as violence spread to the capital complex here.
Thangjam Nanao Singh, a reporter of Prime Time channel received bullet wounds on his chest when police opened fire to disperse bandh supporters. Protesters are demanding the arrest of a Naga militant for allegedly molesting a film actress.
He succumbed to his injuries at the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital.
Protesters also torched the vehicle of officer-in-charge of Lamphel police station, official sources said.
The administration announced the reimposition of the curfew over the public address system and cautioned people from venturing outside.
State Home Minister Gaikhangam visited the hospital and condoled the death of Nanao Singh.
He also appealed to the strikers, particularly Manipur Film Forum (MFF) to remain calm and said efforts were on to trace and arrest the Naga militant who had molested the Manipuri actress.
The indefinite strike, called by MFF, is demanding the arrest of NSCN (IM) militant Livingstone Anal for allegedly publicly molesting Manipuri actress Momoko during a musical concert in Chandel district on December 18. HKR
President of All Manipur Working Journalists Union Mobi Singh has, meanwhile, demanded that the police return the camera used by Nanao Singh in which the reporter had taken several pictures of the spot happenings.
Official sources said police burst tear gas shells to disperse bandh supporters at Thangmeiband, Khurai, Sagolband, Andro Parking – all in the capital complex but no casualty was reported.
Some people were injured when the agitators pelted stones at the general public in Imphal East and West Districts, the sources said.
