IMPHAL, July 19: The Manipur Hill Journalists Union has strongly condemned the murder attempt on Tongam Rina, associate editor of Arunachal Times on July 15 by unknown miscreants.
A statement of the journalists union has said, “We, MHJU, vehemently sought the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to take stern action against the culprits and safeguard the journalists in North East India. Attacking journalist is a shameful and cowardice act”.
Journalist Rina, 34 was shot at by unknown gunmen and critically injured on last Sunday while she was entering her office.
“The shooting of a woman journalist shocked the media fraternity. This should not happen at all but it is unfortunate to say that journalists in the North East regions are becoming easy targets of the miscreants”, the statement said.
“In many past instances, there have been neither arrests nor much headway as to the killers or their motives behind the attack. Attacking the media/journalists is a gross violation of freedom of speech and expression, and attacks on journalists and intimidation of editors and writers continue unabated in the North East states. Therefore, it is high time that the government safeguard the media which is regarded as the fourth estate in a democratic India”, it said.
The statement also said that the MHJU also shares the pain and anguish on the recent attack to its fellow journalist in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh.
“We also appeal to the general public to shun violence against the media persons. The Union (MHJU) today sought the state government to take speedy action against the culprits and safeguard the journalists in the state”, the release said.