Attacks – Journalists

Unknown armed assailants on Wednesday night shot at and allegedly assaulted Khoirom Loyalakpa, the editor-in-chief of local vernacular daily ‘Naharolgi Thoudang’ when he was returning home from office, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Police said the incident occurred around 10pm near Hatta War cemetery in Imphal East, under the jurisdiction of Porompat police station. An unknown car, suspected to be a Maruti Swift, allegedly tailing editor Loyalakpa’s vehicle, blocked his car. Assailants alighted and fired two rounds at the left window glass.

The attackers then overpowered the victim and allegedly assaulted him with a hard object, injuring his teeth and face. They then fled the scene in the same car after locals gathered after hearing the gunshots.

During investigation, the police recovered two empty .32 calibre bullet cases from the area.

A complaint has been lodged at Porompat police station in connection with the incident for further investigation and to nab the perpetrators.