Journalist killed in police firing during bandh

A journalist was killed in police firing
on the second day of the indefinite
strike in Manipur called by a film
body demanding the arrest of a Naga
militant for allegedly molesting a
film actor.
Nanao Singh (29) was killed this
afternoon when the police opened
fire at Thangmeiband area in Imphal
West district at supporters of the
general strike who torched a police
vehicle and obstructed the plying of
public and security vehicles, official
sources said.
Mr. Singh, a reporter of the
newspaper ‘Prime News’ was hit by a
bullet on his chest. He succumbed to
his injury at a hospital.
As the news of the death spread,
violence took place in different parts
of Manipur valley areas, particularly
in Imphal East and Imphal West
districts, official reports from the
districts said.
The bandh supporters, who have
been demanding the arrest of NSCN
(IM) militant Livingstone Anal for
allegedly molesting Manipuri film
actress Momoko in public view
during a musical concert in Chandel
district on December 18, stepped up
their blockade of all major roads and
brickbatted the police when they
tried to remove them.
They damaged and set afire at least
four public vehicles who defied the
general strike at Shingjamei,
Sagolband and some other areas
despite the large deployment of
police forces.
State Home Minister Gaikhangam
visited the hospital and condoled the
death of Nanao Singh. He also
appealed to the agitators to remain
calm and cooperate with the
authorities to restore the situation.
Hundreds of journalists gathered at
the Regional Institute of Medical
Science and Hospital where Singh
died. The body was later taken to the
Manipur press club.
Earlier, police burst tear gas shells to
disperse a mob which threw stones at
the police vehicles in Imphal West
district, official reports said.
The protesters had put logs and
boulders on the roads and burnt
tyres to prevent movement of
patrolling police vehicles and the
general people.
When the police personnel tried to
clear the road at Khurai near here,
the bandh supporters pelted stones at
them leading to the police action, the
reports added.
Gaikhangam appealed to the strikers,
particularly Manipur Film Forum
(MFF), to remain calm and said all
out efforts were on to trace and
arrest the Naga militant.
He said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh
is meeting Union Home Minister
Sushil Kumar Shinde in Delhi to
discuss the militant’s arrest as NSCN
—IM is engaged in peace talks with
the Centre.
The general strike has affected the
enthusiasm surrounding Christmas as
people, particularly from hill
districts could not come here for
their purchases for the festival, the
reports said.