TV Journalist shot while covering Flower Festival in Senapati

A TV journalist, Deep Saikia, sustained serious injuries after being shot while covering a flower festival at Laii village in Senapati district, Manipur. Saikia, who works for a Nagaland-based news channel, was hit twice, once in the right leg and once near his armpit. He later remarked that he believed the incident was not random, as he was the only one targeted among five people present at the scene.
According to reports, locals quickly intervened, subdued the attacker and handed him over to police. A pressurised air rifle suspected to have been used in the attack was recovered from the spot. Saikia was initially treated at Senapati District Hospital before being shifted to Nagaland for further treatment. Medical officials confirmed that while the bullets remain lodged in his body, he is now out of danger and may be referred to Guwahati for advanced care.
From his hospital bed, Saikia shared that he had earlier received threats and believed the attackers knew his identity, reinforcing his suspicion that the shooting was deliberate.
The incident sparked outrage among the press community. The Naga Journalists’ Union, Manipur, has called for an impartial investigation and set up a fact-finding committee to probe the matter. Editors from his channel condemned the shooting as an attack on press freedom and democratic values, urging both the Nagaland and Manipur governments to ensure accountability and justice.