A shocking incident unfolded in Manipur’s Senapati district when Deep Saikia, a journalist with Nagaland-based Hornbill TV, was shot while covering the Zinnia flower festival in Laii village on Saturday evening. The attack left Saikia with gunshot wounds to his right armpit and leg, raising serious concerns about the safety of journalists in the region. The assailant, armed with an air gun, was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police, who are now investigating the motive behind the targeted attack.

Saikia, a resident of Assam’s Jorhat district, recounted the harrowing experience from a private hospital in Dimapur, where he is receiving treatment. “We were a group of five returning from the event when I was shot twice—first in my leg, then in my armpit—within seconds,” he told PTI. “I was the only one hit, which makes me believe this wasn’t random.”

Saikia revealed he had previously received life threats related to his reporting, which he has reported to the police. “I can’t name anyone without evidence, but I urge a thorough investigation into all angles,” he added. With the bullets still lodged in his body, plans are underway to shift him to Guwahati for advanced medical care.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage. The Naga Journalists’ Union Manipur (NUJM) condemned the incident and formed a fact-finding committee to probe the circumstances. Hornbill TV’s editor, Dzuthono Mekro, called the shooting an assault on press freedom and democratic values, urging the governments of Manipur and Nagaland to ensure a transparent investigation. “This is not just an attack on a journalist but on the principles of free speech,” Mekro stated.

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The incident follows recent controversy involving Saikia, who was publicly criticized by Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton at an event in Wokha district. The rebuke stemmed from Saikia’s report highlighting local allegations of inaction by Nagaland authorities near the Assam border, where a major eviction drive was conducted. While no direct link to the shooting has been established, the timing has raised eyebrows.

As Manipur grapples with this brazen attack, the incident underscores the growing risks journalists face in conflict-prone regions. The police are under pressure to uncover the motive and ensure justice, while the journalism community demands stronger protections to safeguard their right to report without fear.

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