Imphal, July 23: Three riflemen of II Manipur Rifles and a State police constable were suspended today for assaulting a senior reporter of vernacular daily Sanaleibak after barging into the reporter's residence located at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai this morning at around 11.The injured reporter who sustained head injuries has been identified as one Thiyam Ranjan.

According to reports, the incident occurred when State security personnel fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse a group of women protesters who were staging a dharna at Leimajam Leikai near Ranjan's house.

Immediately after the firing, some of the MR personnel and State police constables barged into the house Ranjan and physically assaulted him inspite of identifying himself as a mediaperson.

The three suspended MR riflemen have been identified as Kh Kesho Singh (Rfn No 09941018), M Tomba Singh (Rfn No 09981201) Yamtong Haokip (Rfn No 23039) while Imphal West Dist police constable has been identified as Md Azad Khan.

It may be noted here that the three suspended MR riflemen belong to the escort team of II MR Commandant Clay Khongsai.

Following the incident, mediapersons who had arrived at the scene immediately staged a dharna at Leimajam Leikai condemning the act of the security personnel.

Enraged and agitated at the conduct of the security personnel, members of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union and other mediapersons then moved towards the Chief Minister's Bunglow and staged a sit in protest in front of the CM's Bunglow demanding action against the personnel responsible for assaulting Thiyam Ranjan.

On getting reports about the incident, Chief Minister O Ibobi along with some of his Cabinet colleagues met the mediapersons and brought the situation under control by assuring to take up necessary action against all guilty personnel immediately.

Meanwhile, Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) while strongly condemning the attack on Th Ranjan by security personnel has termed the act as barbaric and insane.

It also stated that repeated attacks on mediapersons by security personnel is a clear manifestation of the complete failure of the State Govt.Emergency Relief Committee, Assn For Rural Maintenance Services Pukhao Hirangpham and All Manipur Students Union have also strongly condemned the physical assault on Th Ranjan by State security personnel.

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