ACHR condemns terrorist act of shooting at journalist Ratan Luwangcha

New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights vehemently condemned the shooting at Mr Ratan Luwangcha, Bureau Chief of Poknapham, a Manipuri vernacular daily, while he was standing at his Uripok Bachaspati Leikai residence at Imphal yesterday i.e. 9 February 2006. At around 8.45 am, three unidentified armed men who came on a two-wheeler pumped in three bullets onto him.

“It is a dastardly act of terrorism to silence flow of information and intimidate the journalists for doing their tasks in Manipur.” – stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.

Mr Luwangcha, also the General Secretary of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, sustained two bullet injuries. One bullet passed through his abdomen while the other passed through the left thigh. He was operated upon at Shija Hospital. According to the doctors one bullet caused extensive damage to his internal organs. Doctors said his condition is critical and he is being kept inside the Intensive Care Unit of Shija Hospital.

Asian Centre for Human Rights extends full support to the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and Editor’s Forum of Manipur which will start sit in protest from today onwards apart from ceasing publication of the local dailies on the same day as part of intensifying their agitation.

“The government must take all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide much needed security to protect the journalists.” – further added Mr Chakma.

[Ends]