Violence continues in Manipur, assailants attack newspaper editor's residence

Guwahati: Incidents of violence continued in Manipur, unidentified assailants fired several rounds at the residence of Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor and publisher of the vernacular newspaper "Naharolgi Thoudang."

Prior to 2001 present Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh was editor and publisher of this newspaper.

A senior police official said, “In the early hours of Tuesday attack took place at Loyalakpa's home in Kontha Khabam Lai Haraobam, Imphal East district, under the jurisdiction of Heingang Police Station. Around six rounds were fired, Loyalakpa was not at home during the attack.”


No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the motive remains unclear. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) held an emergency meeting condemning the attack and called for swift action.

Manipur has witnessed repeated incidents of arms loot since May 3 last year. At least 220 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.

The riots began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.