he AMWJU and EGM demanded a transparent, impartial investigation and warned that repeated attacks on media voices in Manipur are silencing independent journalism. They reaffirmed that intimidation of reporters undermines democracy and the public’s right to information
By PC Bureau
November 13: Unidentified armed men allegedly attempted to abduct Khoiram Loyalakpa, editor of the Imphal-based vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang, near Mantripukhri on Wednesday evening — an incident that has drawn sharp condemnation from Manipur’s leading journalist bodies.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) termed the attempt a “blatant assault on press freedom” and a grave threat to the safety of journalists. The two organisations stressed that intimidation or violence against media professionals has “no place in a democracy” and urged the government to guarantee an environment where journalists can work without fear.
The AMWJU and EGM called upon the Manipur Police to launch an immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. “Those who threaten or attack members of the press must face the full consequences of the law,” the statement read, warning that such acts create a “chilling effect” on free expression in the conflict-hit state.
The bodies also appealed to all groups — including valley-based organisations operating in the Imphal area — to resolve differences through dialogue and democratic means rather than coercion or violence. They expressed solidarity with Khoiram Loyalakpa and reaffirmed their commitment to defending press freedom and ensuring the safety of media workers amid Manipur’s continuing ethnic unrest.
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Background: A Targeted Voice of Independence
Khoiram Loyalakpa, a veteran journalist and editor of Naharolgi Thoudang, heads one of the few Meitei-language dailies known for its critical reporting on the ongoing ethnic conflict. His newspaper has often questioned both state authorities and non-state actors, making it a rare dissenting voice in an increasingly polarised media landscape.
Loyalakpa has faced repeated threats and attacks in recent years. In July 2024, unidentified gunmen fired multiple rounds at his Imphal East residence — barely a month after his official security cover was withdrawn. Media watchdogs and rights groups described the withdrawal as “deliberately exposing him to risk.”
No group has yet claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attempted abduction, though suspicion has fallen on armed valley-based organisations active in and around Imphal. Police have launched a probe into the incident.
