IMPHAL, Dec 24 MNS NNN UNA: A jounalist was killed while scores of vehicles were burnt and got damaged as the indefinite bandh continued for the second conxecutive day yesterday called by Film Forum Manipur (FFM) supported by various civil society organisations in protest against the assaulting of Manipuri film actress Momoko by an NSCN-IM cadre in Chandel on December 18 evening.
\nThe Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari has condoled the death Shri Dhij Mani, a stringer for a private TV News channel, who was killed in police firing in Imphal today, while covering the bandh organized in protest against the molestation of an actress yesterday. Tewari has said that Mani was a very brave journalist and a true professional who covered many difficult assignments.
\nThe Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has urged Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to order a probe into the incident and to give compensation to his family.
\nAt around 1 pm today at Thangmeibandh Sinam Leikai in Imphal West district, a mini truck of the Lamphel police station escorting people from Tamenglong district was stopped and damaged. As the mob size increased, the police personnel fled from the scene leaving the vehicle behind. After the mob had asked the occupants to unboard the vehicle, the mob set the mini truck on fire. While doing so, the security personnel who were nearby opened fire and the bullets hit at Prime News channel correspondent identified Thangjam Dwijamani alias Nanao (36). The journalist was rushed to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) but succumbed to the injuries. One of the bullets that hit Nanao’s chest became fatal.
\nWhen a large numbers of bandh supporters tried to stop a police team trying to evacuate some people in one of its vehicles. Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells. When the outnumber protestors marched ahead and caught fire the vehicles, police fired several rounds of real bullets.
\nDwijamani who was taking a video clip of the incident was hit by a bullet in his chest. He was immediately rushed to the RIMS hospital for medical treatment. However, he breathed his last after a brief struggle for his life.
\nWhen the police picked up a youth who came to handover the video camera used by the scribe which was missing from the spot and allegedly concealed with apparent intention to eliminate the evidences, outraged scribe fraternity led by president of All Manipur Working journalists\u2019 Union (AMWJU) stormed the Lamphel police station.
\nThey demanded production of the video clipping. However, after a brief struggle police successfully quelled the scribes.
\nDissatisfied with the attitude of the police, scribes gathered at Manipur Press Club to hold an emergency meeting. With the resolution passed in the meeting, scribes marched a protest rally amidst the curfew towards the chief minister bungalow and submitted a memorandum containing the resolution of the AMWJU.
\nThe memorandum demanded, among others, to conduct an inquiry and dismissed the police personnel involved in the firing that got kill the scribe. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh assured appropriate action against the erring personnel.
\nAn mou was reached during a talk between representative of AMWJU and chief minister O Ibobi Singh in the office chamber of the later this late evening.
\nAs per the agreed point in the memorandum, the state government will place the police personnel involved in the firing incident under suspension, pending enquiry in to the incident.
\nTo conduct an enquiry into the incident by a high power committee chaired by state principal secretary (home) with additional DGP (law and order) LM Khoute and AMWJU president A Mobi as members would inquire into the incident and submit its report within three days, extendable to one week.
\nThe government also agreed to provide reasonable assistance feasible to the family of the deceased and drafting of policy for the welfare of media personnel by the state government was also included in the MoU which was signed by state chief secretary DS Poonia from government side and A Mobi from journalists\u2019 side.
\nWith the signing of the MoU, the scribes have agreed to suspend any kind of agitation.
\nMeanwhile, a total of five private vehicles were burnt down by bandh supporters in various places in the state capital today.
\nAt around 11:20 am, a Maruti car heading for Tamenglong was set on fire by a mob. At Khurai Lamlong, two vehicles–a Bolero jeep and a Maruti car were burnt down by bandh supporters at around 11 am. At Andro Bus parking, another Maruti car was burnt down by the bandh supporters late this morning.<\/p>\n\n