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Thirty-two-year-old Thangjam Buijamani, or Nanao as he was called by friends and colleagues, was covering the protest when he was shot in the chest during a protest demonstration in Thangmeiband in the heart of the state capital.
The last footage recorded by Buijamani was screened later at the city Press Club, where journalists had gathered to decide on a course of action on the firing. It showed a constable-level policeman aiming directly at Buijamani with his pistol when he fired the shot. A senior-level police official can be seen at the spot.
Buijamani is survived by his wife and two children.
As journalists threatened a protest, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh announced that all police personnel present at the spot have been suspended.
Imphal has been seeing protests since last week after an armed cadre member of the NSCN (IM), Livingstone Anal, reportedly went on a rampage, molesting and assaulting the actress Momoko at a public event.
The largely Meitei (Hindu Manipuri) demonstrators have now started attacking vehicles headed to tribal districts, mostly carrying Christians.
The United Naga Council in Manipur meanwhile has alleged that Nagas in Imphal are being targeted.
First of all, I would like to caution Indian Express Imphal Correspondent Miss Esha Roy against the report the major meitei community targets christians. this can ignite communal tensions in the state. This is really unfortunate of Indian Express to have included such biased report. Moreover the deceased cameraman's name is Dwijamani and not buijamani.
Disrupting the social life in Imphal valley is not new. The meitei militants need small reasons to take to streets shouting "anti India" slogans. They cosnider all non-Manipuris as "outsiders" (mayang); but continue to spread in all other places of the country and oflate receiving the reward of their ill treatment to their so called 'mayangs'. This is what recently heard from Bangalore too. The militancy developed through the late N.Bishweshwar Singh is still carrying forward in one form or the other and the manipuri youths enjoy taking to the streets for trivial matters. All Hill areas, including Chandel Districts are Naga majority area and meitei shows are not much appreciated there; especially when the underground activities are still prevailing whether in Chandel, Ukhrul, Karong, Churachandpur, Tamenlong or elsewhere. This situation will continue in this tiny State until they are properly educated with nationalism.
It seems in this country rapes, molestation, eve teasing are national game and there is no fear in the mind of criminal. Former police commissioner of Mumbai was promoted for remaining silent, def and dumb when mobs of Muslim goons were molesting girls at Azad Maidan Mumbai.
