The ongoing protest against molestation of an actress in the frontier state of Manipur took an ugly turn on Sunday when the police opened fire on protesters, killing a journalist and injuring six others in Imphal. The protesters were enforcing an indefinite strike called by film and theatre artistes of the state.
Journalist T.H. Nanao, who was covering the protest march, took two bullets, including one on the chest.
In what has also created an outrage among the residents that security forces were using rubber bullet to contain the protest demonstration, but on Sunday they fired lethal bullets on protesters, which killed the journalist.
The state is witnessing a violent protest after NSCN (I-M) cadre molested a film actress at Chandel during a fund-raising show.
The film and theatre artists of the state are demanding the arrest of NSCN (I-M) cadre Livingstone Anal, who in full public view went to the podium during the show and molested the film actress.
Shocked over the incident, the film actress said, “The NSCN (I-M) cadre Livingstone was repeatedly touching me, he was touching my body...pulled my hair. I warned him, even my mother warned him.”
She also regretted that the security personnel present at the spot just stood by and watched the NSCN (I-M) cadre who also opened fire to create panic among the people. The incident took place last Monday.
Meanwhile, state administration has clamped curfew in eastern and western parts of Imphal following the death of a journalist. The Manipur Film Forum has also called for indefinite strike while condemning the assault on a film actress.
The strike has crippled the life completely in and around Imphal as there were scenes of tyre burning, stone-pelting and blocking of roads across the state’s capital even on Sunday.