Date:19/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/19/stories/2008111956841400.htm

National

Solatium sought for scribe’s family

Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL: The All-Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Editors’ Forum, Manipur, on Tuesday demanded a solatium for the family of the journalist shot dead by unidentified persons near here on Monday night.

At a general body meeting here the two bodies called for suspension of the publication of newspapers and broadcast of news by the local cable network from Wednesday till the killers were rounded up.

Victim, a sub-editor

The victim, Konsam Rishikanta (25), was a sub-editor with the English newspaper, Imphal Free Press.No one has claimed responsibility for the killing so far.

An emergency meeting of the AMWJU was held on Monday night to condemn the killing. A sum of Rs. 10,000 reportedly carried by Rishikanta was also missing.

Sagolshem Hemanta, president of the AMWJU, said that if any journalist was to be punished, the Union should first be apprised of the charges.

He said the killers should come out and explain the reasons for the murder.

Meanwhile, women staged a road roko against the killing. Information Minister T.N. Haokip also visited the spot and expressed his condolences to the women. He promised all possible assistance from the government.

Three editors have been killed in the past. Some others, including reporters, have escaped attempts on their lives.