Nagaland: Journalist beaten up while returning home from office, probe still on

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 24 (EMN): Journalist Menuse-o Khieya, who is associated with Eastern Mirror as a correspondent in Kohima, was physically assaulted earlier this month by unidentified person(s) while he was returning home from work.

The incident occurred around 11:30 pm to 12 am on March 5 between Daklane and New Market in Kohima.

Khieya, who is recovering from injuries inflicted during the assault, stated he saw around four to five persons scuffling in the middle of the road while returning home so he ‘intervened to stop them, after which they dispersed’.

However, after about five minutes, he was attacked from behind, leaving him unconscious and with injuries on the face. 

He said that the incident was brought to the knowledge of the New Market Area Panchayat three days after the incident as his family was focused on nursing him back to health and he was not in the right disposition to file a report about the incident.

He was also robbed of his mobile phone, two ATM cards and an Aadhaar card.  

Chairman of New Market Area Panchayat, Ruokuobizo Nyusou informed this newspaper that the case was brought to their notice late, but investigation was on to nab the culprit.

‘Although the progress of the incident is slow, we are trying our best to find the person behind the assault,’ he assured. 

Investigation Officer, Sako further informed that since no written FIR was registered, the police were only assisting in the inquiry and the panchayat has taken up the case.

It was also informed that since there is no CCTV in the area, the culprit could not be nabbed till date.

Condemnation

Eastern Mirror vehemently condemns the shocking and reprehensible physical assault on our correspondent Menuse-o Khieya in Kohima on March 5, 2022. The brutal attack left him bruised and battered in an unconscious state, and thus is a serious attempt at bodily harm. Threats of violence and attacks against journalists in particular create a climate of fear for media professionals, impeding the free circulation of information, opinions and ideas for all citizens. Attacks on media professionals and their work are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

The ruthless act against a member of the fourth estate must be thoroughly investigated and swift justice meted out on persons responsible. Eastern Mirror requests the related authorities to expedite the investigation and resolve it at the earliest. We further urge the society to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work without undue interference.