Kohima, November 25: Two journalists, a stringer of the Times of India and the President of the Kohima Press Club, were shot at with one of them being injured by suspected militants as they were returning home from work, the police said today.

The TOI stringer, Xavier Rutsa, who is the senior correspondent of �Nagaland Post� and President of Kohima Press Club, Ato Liezietsu, were asked to stop as they were returning home on a scooter by a group of youths suspected to be militants here last night, the sources said.

When the two journalists did not stop, the youths fired at them injuring Xavier in the hip, the sources said adding Liezietsu was immediately rushed Rutsa to a nursing home.

Doctors said the bullet from a 9 mm pistol had pierced the lower abdomen, resulting in excessive bleeding.

Rutsa�s condition was stated to be stable today.

Journalists here and from Dimapur demonstrated before the Nagaland assembly today condemning the attack.

Leaders of student organisation, human rights bodies, the apex Naga Hoho, the Naga Mothers Association, Royal Club Kohima and others joined the demonstration to express solidarity with the mediamen.

Submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland Press Corps demanded the arrest of the gunmen, safety and security for journalists and urged the government to bear the expense for treatment of the wounded scribe.

Governor Shyamal Datta visited the injured journalist in hospital this morning to inquire about his condition.

A search has been launched for the gunmen.

Comment