Scribes demand judicial probe in Rishikanta killing
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 18 2008: SCRIBES IN Manipur have expressed suspicion of involvement of security personnel in the murder of a junior working journalist yesterday late evening at Langol near the Sangai Second Home in Imphal west.

Junior sub-editor of the local English daily, the Imphal Free Press, named Konsam Rishikanta (22), son of K Budhichandra of Ningomthong Sairom Leirak, Imphal east was gunned down by some unknown persons from point blank range killing him on the spot yesterday evening.

Decrying the murder, the publication of Imphal Free Press has been suspended from yesterday itself and the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) has also decided to suspend publications of all other newspapers in the state from November 20 .

MLA Bijoy Koijam joins journalists in offering last respects to Rishikanta

The AMWJU has decided to suspend the publications until the state government finds out and arrest the murderers.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the scribes called by the AMWJU at the Manipur Press Club here today.

A protest rally from the Press Club to the Chief Minister's official bungalow was taken out by the media persons and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister, O Ibobi.

The journalists demanded among others constituting a judicial inquiry to find out the murderers and punish them as per law.

Two other demands were awarding compensation to the bereaved family of the journalist as per the Centre's scheme for victims of terrorist violence and ensuring a sense of security in the minds of journalists and take necessary measures for protection of the working journalists of the state.

In the memorandum, the AMWJU expressed suspicion of involvement of security personnel in the murder of the young journalist.

"AMWJU has reasons to suspect involvement of security personnel in the crime as the spot where Rishikanta was found dead is a highly secured area with members of state forces manning all the three entry points, the memorandum said adding that under the circumstances, the AMWJU feels that only a judicial inquiry can trace the murderers.

Meanwhile, the media persons offered floral tributes to the deceased young journalist, who had joined the fraternity hardly three months back in August this year.

A two-minute silence was also observed to mark respect to the departed soul.

President of AMWJU, S Hemanta and editor of Imphal Free Press, Pradip Phanjoubam led the offering of floral tributes to the journalist, whose body was brought to the Manipur Press Club.

Rishikanta was a hard working, sincere and honest journalist, said Pradip Phanjoubam while offering floral tributes to the lifeless body of the journalist.

The AMWJU has also demanded that the perpetrators of the crime disclose the motive behind the killing of an upcoming journalist.

The journalits' body strongly condemned the murder of a journalist despite repeated appeals to various organisations including armed rebel outfits to give journalists a chance to explain their point of view if their writing was not accepted by individuals or organisations.

Meanwhile, State Information Minister, TN Haokip has strongly decried the killing of a journalist.

"It is unfortunate that a journalist who is serving the people day and night besides all odds has been killed.

We must condemn it in the strongest term," he said.

IFCD Minister, N Biren and MLA Bijoy Koijam also turned up at the Manipur Press Club to share the sorrows of the media community.