IMPHAL, August 21: President of the All Manipur Journalists' Association (AMJA) and editor of Manipur News, an Imphal-based English daily, Thounaojam Brajamani Singh was shot dead by two unidentified scooter-borne youths yesterday around 10.30 pm at Keishampat Thiyam Leikai, here. Seventy-year-old veteran journalist T Brajamani, who was also the co-convenor of the Journalist Front, Manipur (JFM) was coming home from Sagolband Meino Leirak side on his white Kinetic Honda when he was believed to have been intercepted by the armed youths. Sources said the assailants stopped the editor and fired at him from close range. Brajamani was shot twice at the back of the head. He died on the spot. Two empty cases of nine mm pistol were recovered from the spot by the police team who rushed to the spot on hearing about the news. The police also launched a massive manhunt in and around the area. The motive of the incident is not known, However, on August 15 an unknown caller had allegedly threatened the editor's family saying that Brajamani would be killed. It is also said that the call was received by a family member, who was asked about the whereabouts of the editor that day. Brajamani also wrote an editorial in this regard on August 18 last, saying that he would welcome further calls from the man so that the 'conflicts of mind' with the caller may be negotiated. No arrest has been made till the filing of this report. However police have registered a case in this regard. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 21: The entire journalist community in the state today strongly condemned the killing of the seniormost scribes and editor of the English daily Manipur News and resolved to suspend Wednesday publication of all the dailies in the state as a mark of protest against the killing. The decision to suspend the publication was adopted in a meeting at the Manipur Press Club. Sixty six year old Brajamani Singh was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen at 10.30 pm yesterday at Keishampat Thiyam Leikai, while he was returning home on a Kinetic Honda. Condemning the "senseless killing" the meeting demanded that the culprits be identified and punished accordingly. It also wanted to know the motive behind the killing. The killing came at a time when the journalists are planning to hold a workshop on ethics of the journalists on August 23. Brajamani was a co-convenor of the organising committee and he took an active interest in organising the workshop. The meeting said the killing is an attempt to muzzle the press and also to disrupt the workshop. In view of the incident the meeting decided to postpone the workshop indefinitely. The meeting condoled the sudden demise and shared the grief of the bereaved family members. Earlier the body of the editor was cremated at Keishamthong residence. Before the last rites a silent procession was taken out from RIMS morgue to the Manipur Press Club and then to his home. Journalist, well-wishers and relative thronged the morgue since early this morning. Deputy CM L Chandramani and Information Minister, M Kunjo were also present at the morgue. Amidst the sea of gloom and weeping the most heart rending was the innocent question asked by the young daughter of late Brajamani. With tears streaking down her cheeks the young girl asked, "What wrong did my father do that his life should be so mercilessly snuffed out?" The Scribes meeting decided to merge Manipur state Journalist Association, All Manipur Journalist Association and Reporters' Forum to All Manipur Working Journalists Union. The Journalists Front Manipur has also been dissolved with effect from today. In the meantime, two persons have been picked up by the police for interrogation. (The Sangai Express, E-Pao; Imphal; August 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 21: The Governor Ved Marwah, Deputy CM L Chandramani Singh, Minister of Information and Public Relation M Kunjo, officers and officials of Directorate of Information and Public relation, DIPR, Manipur, staffs of the Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi, BJP Manipur, CPI (M), NSUI, Manipur, and Manipur Library Association have expressed shock over the assassination of Thounaojam Brajamani Singh, editor and publisher of Manipur News by unidentified gunmen last night. While expressing sock over the dastardly act, the Governor Ved Marwah said in the death of Brajamani, Manipur has lost not only a very senior renowned journalist but also an important public figure. He also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the widowed wife, Manitombi Devi and other members of the family and prayed that God may give them the strength to bear the irreparable loss. Deputy CM Chandramani strongly condemned the heinous act and expressed great sock. Describing the act as savage, he also said the act should be condemned by each law-abiding citizen and that assassination of the editor is challenge to democracy and civic liberty. Meanwhile GOC of 57 Mountain Division, Arvind Sharma has also condoled the demise of Brajamani and strongly condemned the dastardly killing of senior journalist. Condolence messages from the officers and staff of PIB, Imphal, MACHALEIMA, a quarterly journal, the AMUCO, MSF and other various organisations have also poured in over the killing of editor. (The Imphal Free Press, E-Pao; Imphal; August 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 21: Unidentified gunmen shot dead veteran Manipuri journalist Thounaojam Brajamani Singh at Sagolband Meino Leirak here last night. Editor of the, Manipur News, 68-year-old Singh was the oldest working journalist in Manipur and the third to be killed in the insurgency-ravaged state. Police said Singh and a computer engineer were heading for the Manipur News office on a two-wheeler when two scooter-borne youth waylaid them. One of the youth took Singh's companion aside, while the other opened fire, hitting the veteran journalist smack on his face and the back of his head. He died on the spot. The police have recorded the computer engineer's statements. Sources said Singh had received threats over telephone some days back. In his editorial on Thursday, the slain journalist appealed to the "callers" to be frank in airing their grievances against him. However, he continued moving about freely. Shocked and outraged by Singh's killing, the journalist fraternity today termed it an attempt to "gag" the press. Information minister M. Kunjo Singh was among the mourners who carried Singh's body and marched through the streets of this capital town. Before being taken to his home at Keishamthong for the last rites, the slain journalist's body was brought to the Manipur Press Club. The local press corps was present at the club in full strength to pay floral tributes to the man they addressed as "Pabung (father)". Though no individual or outfit has claimed responsibility for Singh's killing, the police are hopeful of identifying the killers soon. A senior police official said two suspects had been detained for interrogation and a case registered at the Imphal West police station. "We are looking at the killing from all angles and hope to crack the case soon," he said. Condemning the incident and expressing their resolve to uphold the freedom of press, all journalists' organisations in Manipur today decided to merge with the All-Manipur Working Journalists' Union in deference to Singh's wishes. "It is the least we can do. Singh always advocated unity among journalists," a local scribe said. All newspapers in the state will keep their editorial columns blank tomorrow and cease publication for a day on Wednesday. Expressing shock over the veteran journalist's killing, Manipur Governor Ved Marwah said the state had lost one of its most-loved public figures. Deputy Chief Minister L Chandramani Singh, a close associate of the slain editor, termed the killing "a barbaric act" and "a challenge to democracy". (Correspondent; The Telegraph; Calcutta; August 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 22: The Manipur Governor and several other leaders have condoled the killing of senior journalist and Editor of Imphal-based English daily Manipur News Thounaojam Brajamani Singh on Sunday night. State Governor Ved Marwah has sent a condolence message to Manitombi, widow of T Brajamani, expressing his shock over the dastardly killing. He said that in his death Manipur has lost not only a very senior and renowned journalist, but also an important public figure. A UNI report from New Delhi said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee expressed grief over the gruesome killing of Thounaojam Brajamani in Imphal late on Sunday night. In his message, Vajpayee said Brajamani will be remembered for his editorship of Manipur's most popular daily, Manipur News. "I convey my heartfelt condolence to all members of his family, relatives, friends and admirers and join them in praying for the departed soul." state Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh, who is currently camping in New Delhi for 11th Finance Commission meeting, has also expressed his deep shock and grief over the killing of T Brajamani on Sunday night. In a statement, which was despatched from New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that all sections of people ought to condemn the act. He also shared the grief of the bereaved family. Newspapers not to hit stands today: All newspapers in Manipur will suspend their publications tomorrow in protest against the murder of T Brajamani Singh, adds UNI. A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting attended by mediapersons and editors here on Monday. Meanwhile, all local dailies on Tuesday left their editorial columns blank following a decision in the meeting. The meeting also resolved to merge various professional bodies of scribes into All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) to fulfil the desire of the slain journalist. Journalists' organisations, which decided to join AMWJU, are all Manipur Journalists' Association, Manipur state Journalists' Association and Reporters' Forum, Manipur. While conveying heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family, the meeting of journalists condemned the murder and urged the government to bring the killers to book. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 23, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 24: Reporters Sans Frontiers of France, a universal body which defends jailed journalists and press freedom throughout the world, has expressed serious concern over the killing of Thounaojam Brajamani Singh, the Editor of the English daily Manipur News on Sunday night by two armed youths. The Paris-based journalists' body in a letter addressed to the CM Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh "to do everything in his power to establish the hidden motive behind the murder." Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) also asked the Chief Minister "to be kept informed of progress in the inquiry" into the incident. The general secretary of the RSF Robert Menard has also recalled that another Editor of daily published from Churachandpur in Manipur had been killed by a group of separatist rebels. The assassinated Editor of Shan daily of Churachandpur was A. Lalrohlu. He was shot dead by some armed gunmen in October, 1999. The representatives of the journalists' community in the state called on the Deputy Chief Minister Leishangthem Chandramani Singh on Tuesday afternoon and urged him to take up necessary action in connection with the killing. The journalists' delegation is demanding ex gratia for the deceased's kin and Government job for one of his family members. The journalist leaders of the state are likely to meet the state Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha after his return from New Delhi. Till filing of this report, no one has claimed responsibility for the killing of Editor T Brajamani. In the meantime, police have detained two persons in connection with the incident, a reliable source said here. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 25, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 24: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has condoled the demise of Manipur News editor, T Brajamani who was gunned downed by unidentified assassins in the night of August 20 last. In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said that the contribution of the late editor in the filed of journalism in Manipur will remain forever etched in the history of Manipur. He shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the slain editor and prayed for the eternal rest of the departed soul. Meanwhile Manipur Chief Minister, W Nipamacha today assured that ex-gratia of Rs one lakh would be given to the family of the slain editor of Manipur News. The Chief Minister gave this assurance during a meeting with the representatives of the All Manipur working Journalists' Union at his office chamber this evening. The Chief minister also said that the Government is considering providing a Government job to one of the family members of the late editor. Iterating that the Government will leave no stone unturned to book the culprits Nipamacha informed the representatives that the Government is investigating into all the angles of the assassination of the editor. He also said that the two persons picked up for the interrogation in connection with the case has been remanded to police custody till August 26. Meanwhile a number of voluntary organisations including the international bodies of journalists have condoled the death of editor. Reporters Sans Frontiers, RSF, a Paris based journalists body in a letter to the Chief minister, has urged Nipamacha "to do everything in his power to establish the exact motives for the murder." (The Sangai Express, E-Pao; Imphal; August 25, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 26: Two unknown youths today exploded a powerful bomb suspected to be RDX around noon in the main office building of the Pan Manipuri Youth League popularly known as Pan MYL at palace compound here. Eyewitness accounts said that the two unknown youths came on a Kinetic Honda carrying a bag. At that time there were some persons in the main building. The youths forced them out of the office and within minutes the powerful bomb was exploded. The two nondescript youths entered the office at 11.45 am One of them was carrying a bag. On entry they made enquiries about the polo tournament the Lamyanba Pakhang annually organises. At that moment, the secretary of the Lamyanba Pakhang happened to enter the office. Both of the youths were taken into his office where some talks were held. At that time, about seven reporters, who had been appointed to work for a proposed daily newspaper, were being given training in the conference hall. An old monthly "Lamyanba" is to be converted to a daily paper. The two youths whipped two small guns. They told the stunned persons that as per order of their elders, they were going to do something there. So all of them were driven out of the room. They were forced to stand in the shed for two wheelers at the back of the conference hall. Some office functionaries asked them which underground group they belonged. They cryptically replied that it will be known later. Once the two youths slipped out through southern gate, a bomb with a deafening sound exploded in the main office building. Police say that it was RDX bomb. All the office furniture including telephones, ceiling fans, walls and roof were destroyed. One Ambassador car and one Kinetic Honda which were parked in front of the office were also extensively damaged. The office complex was constructed in 1969. A big table donated by late Maharaja Okendrajit was also damaged. In 1994 one hand grenade was exploded in front of the office ahead of the marathon organised by the Lamyanba Pakhang. There was no casualty. Police and Assam Rifles officials have rushed there. However, there was no arrest, though police launched some search operations. Till the time of filing this report no banned outfit has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast today. (Matamgee Yakairol, E-Pao; Imphal; August 27, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 26: The office of a publication group, which brings out a monthly journal Chingkheihunba, was blown up here today. This came close on the heels of the killing of T Brajamani Singh, editor of an English daily, on 20 August. Two youths entered the office of the Lamyanba Communication at 11 am They then took out arms and ordered trainee journalists to leave. The group is in the process of reviving The Lamyanba, a local vernacular daily. A powerful bomb, planted inside the office, exploded at 11.45 am No one was hurt. Eyewitnesses said the blast completely destroyed the 1969 tin-roofed building with a dinning table gifted by the former Maharaja of Manipur, Okenjit Singh. The blast left a big hole on the floor. Police rushed to the site and conducted an inquiry. Police suspect that a 2.5-kg RDX device may have been used. No one has been arrested. The editor of The Lamyanba' Irengbam Arun, said the two youths asked them (in all 11) to move to the back of the building since "they were about to carry out something big." The youths used arms to threaten them. "Initially I thought they were planning an ambush on the CRPF post across the road," Arun said. "But after we moved to the back of the building, the youths told us not to go to the front and also not to follow them." The youths left through an opening. The editor, suspecting foul play, went back to the office and saw an air bag containing some plastics. He immediately left the office and joined the reporters. Seconds after that the bomb went off. Arun said though he had not received any warning or threat, the motive behind the blast seemed to discourage the relaunching of the Lamyanba. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The Chief Minister, W Nipamacha Singh, and the Deputy Chief Minister, L Chandramani Singh, have condemned the incident. (Statesman News Service; The Statesman; Calcutta; August 28, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 28: The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (Oken) has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack at the "Lamyanba Complex," a press building near the Shree Shree Gobindajee temple here on Saturday. A press conference was held somewhere in Chandel district on Sunday afternoon under the aegis of the banned KYKL(O) in connection with the bomb attack. Talking to reporters, the deputy secretary of the outfit SK Loya said that they have decided to "ban" all the frontal organisations of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The KYKL(O)'s deputy secretary also charged the UNLF with killing more than 40 members of a social organisation called MNF (Manipuri National Front) in the early Nineties. The KYKL(O), however, said that they were not involved in the killing of Manipur News editor. The deputy secretary of the outfit Loya further said that they will take up necessary steps to find out those involved in the killing of Brajamani, adding that if any militant organisation is involved in the killing, people of the state should take action against the particular outfit. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 29, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 27: Two individuals, who were arrested by the Police on charge of their alleged involvement in the killing of Manipur News Editor Thounaojam Brajamani Singh on Sunday last have been remanded to police custody for another two days. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal K Gomti Devi passed an order in this regard on Saturday. It, however, directed the authorities not to conduct any physical harassment to the individuals in police custody. The two individuals were identified as Bijoy Koijam, United News of India (UNI) reporter and his assistant Leimapokpam Dayal Singh, who teaches Sociology in the Regional College of Science, Lilong Chajing. They were arrested by the police on Sunday night in which the Editor T Brajamani was gunned down by the unidentified gunmen from their respective residences. Police also registered a suo motu case under the FIR No. 280 (8) 2000 IPC-u/s 302/IPC 25(IB) Act. After being produced before the Court on Monday, both the accused were remanded in police custody for six consecutive days. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 29, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 28: A UNI reporter, Koijam Bijoy Singh, 41 a college lecturer, Leimapokpam Dayal Singh, 34, who were picked up by the police in connection with the assassination of the Manipur News editor, T Brajamani Singh, were released on bail today. The chief judicial magistrate, Imphal, K Gomati Devi passed an order granting bail against the two accused on the ground that the prosecution could not provide enough materials which would show prima facie involvement of the accused in the commission of the crime. The magistrate, while quoting the news report appeared in local papers under the caption "Bijoy Koijam thadokpiraku", observed that the suspicion by the deceased family against Bijoy Koijam is no more. The accused were allowed to be released on bail on their execution a PR bond of Rs 20,000 with a surety of like amount on condition that they should appear before the OC, Imphal police station whenever required for the purpose of investigation of the case, on failure to remand to judicial custody till September 11 next. As directed by the CJM, Imphal, the accused were produced today before the magistrate. When the Manipur News editor was shot dead on August 20 last, both the accused were picked up by the police in connection with the case from their respective residences on the same night. (The Imphal Free Press, E-Pao; Imphal; August 17, 2000)

GUWAHATI, August 28: The press in Manipur is caught in a Catch-22 situation with journalists becoming the targets of both separatist groups and the state government, leading to a muzzling of the freedom of the press. A string of attacks on journalists by rebel groups during the past week has shocked the newspaper industry of the Northeastern region. On Saturday, unidentified extremists blew up a newspaper office in the heart of Manipur's capital Imphal, minutes after 11 trainee journalists were allowed to leave the building. "Two persons entered the Pan Manipur Youth League (PMYL) office and ordered the journalists and other staff members to leave the building. After a while, a powerful bomb exploded damaging a portion of the building," a police spokesman told IANS from Imphal. The PMYL, a social organisation, is planning to bring out its monthly journal 'Lamyanba' as a daily newspaper, shortly. The bomb attack came less than a week after Brajamani Singh, the respected 68-year-old editor of an English daily, Manipur News, was shot dead on August 20 by two gunmen. In October 1999, militants in Imphal gunned down the editor of the vernacular newspaper, A Lalrohlu. In April this year, N Biren Singh, editor of Naharlogi Thoudang, a vernacular daily, was arrested by the state police for publishing "seditious" and "anti-national" reports pertaining to some separatist groups. "The press in Manipur is sandwiched between pressures from extremist groups and the high-handed attitude of the government. The media here is delicately balanced and functioning has become a matter of wits," said Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of the Imphal Free Press, an English daily. "The constant pulls and pressures affect the freedom of the press," he told IANS. At least a dozen rebel groups, having different goals and ideologies, are active in Manipur. "We have to think twice before anything is published. It is unfortunate that we have to face the wrath of both underground groups and the government," said Ranendrajit, editor of The Freedom, an English daily. "The role of the media in the Northeast is very crucial for the ongoing peace process," he said. Journalists working in conflict regions like the Northeast, often face pressure from counter-insurgency forces and authorities who try and coerce the media into toeing their line without considering the fact that the publication of such reports could anger the extremist groups. We experienced the worst of times when the government blocked advertisements and subjected us to all kinds of pressure, accusing us of siding with extremist groups. Why should the government be afraid of what appears in the newspapers? The government has its own machinery to counter such reports", said Geoffrey Yaden, editor of the Nagaland Post, a leading English daily in the Northeastern state of Nagaland, which has been affected by insurgency for five decades. "The Nagaland press passed through a very bad phase sandwiched between pressures from rebels and the government. Now the situation is much better," he said. In Assam, more than extremist groups, it is the government which has tried on several occasions to muzzle the freedom of the press. More than 30 journalists were arrested during the past five years on charges of aiding and abetting insurgency. "I was arrested several times on charges of trying to provoke terrorism through my writing. The government, in an attempt to hide its failures, has been resorting to such acts of harassment," said Ajit Bhuyan, editor of Aji, a vernacular daily published from Assam's major city Guwahati. Some of the region's leading politicians say governments have, on many occasions, intimidated the press to serve their own needs. "The media in the Northeast has always been targeted by either militants or the government. (Syed Zarir Hussain, India Abroad News Service; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; August 29, 2000)

IMPHAL, August 29: Two persons, arrested in connection with the killing of the editor of a local English daily on August 20 last, have been released on bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (Imphal) K Gomati Devi, reports PTI. The accused - Koijam Bijoy Singh and Leimapokpam Dayal Singh - were arrested under Section 302/120-b IPC and 25 (1-b) Acts in connection with the killing of Thounaojam Brajamani Singh, Editor of Manipur News daily, on August 20 night here. The CJM had earlier remanded the two accused to police custody till August 26 last and released them on Monday on their execution of a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with a surety bond of the same amount. The magistrate's order said the prosecution could not provide enough materials which would show prima facie involvement of the two accused in the commission of the crime. The order also put a condition that the accused should appear before the O/C of Imphal police station whenever required for investigating the case. The counsel for Dayal Singh and Bijoy Singh denied the charge and insisted that they were innocent. There was also no prima facie evidence against the accused and thus there was no ground for them to be remanded to either police or judicial custody, contended their counsel. The CJM in her order maintained that except for the material available, the prosecution so far could not show other materials which could show prima facie involvement of the accused in the crime. In spite of subjecting the accused for seven days' police custody, prosecution failed to show reasonable ground that the accused committed the alleged crime, the CJM said in her order. The CJM's order also mentioned about the plea of the wife of Brajamani to release Bijoy Singh, saying it showed that the family of the deceased did not have any suspicion against Singh. Brajamani's wife, Manitombi Devi, had appealed to authorities concerned on Sunday to release Bijoy Singh. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; August 30, 2000)