Guwahati, December 23
A cameraperson of a local TV news channel was killed after the police opened fire at protesters in the Thangmeiband area of Imphal today. The police opened fire to disperse a mob trying to enforce a “bandh” on the second day of the general strike.

The indefinite general strike has been called by a body of the Manipur film fraternity, demanding the arrest of an NSCN-IM militant, Livingstone Anal, for allegedly molesting a Manipuri film actress during a music concert in Chandel district on December 18.

An official source said the police opened fire after the protesters set a police vehicle on fire and obstructed the movement of traffic, including security personnel vehicles. The cameraperson, Nanao Singh (36), suffered a bullet injury on the chest and died at a hospital in the afternoon.

As the news of the journalist’s death spread, violence erupted in different parts of the Manipur valley area, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

Curfew was imposed in eastern and western parts of Imphal till 6 am on Monday following the journalist’s death.

Reports said four vehicles, including that of the officer-in-charge of Lamphel police station, were set ablaze by protesters in the East and West Imphal districts.

Manipur Home Minister Gaikhangam visited the hospital and mourned the journalist’s death. He also appealed to the protesters to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.

He said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh would meet Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in Delhi to discuss the militant’s arrest, as the NSCN-IM was engaged in peace talks with the Centre.

The Journalists’ Forum Assam has expressed shock at the killing of the journalist in Imphal. The Assam-based journalist organisation has urged the Manipur government to investigate the incident that led to Nanao Singh’s killing and provide adequate compensation to his family.

Molestation fallout
* TV journalist dies as police opens fire to disperse a mob trying to enforce a bandh

* Curfew imposed in eastern and western parts of Imphal till 6 am on Monday

* General strike called by Manipur film fraternity against alleged molestation of an actress by a Naga militant