Broadcast journalist M Rameshchandra was allegedly assaulted by a policeman while covering a rally in the Imphal East District of Manipur. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists (India) (NUJ-I), in condemning the assault and demanding accountability from the police for their lack of action and protection.

On August 1, Impact TV broadcast journalist Rameshchandra, popularly known as RC Mangang, was allegedly beaten by a policeman while covering a mass rally organised by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) people of Moreh, in the Akampat area in Manipur.

In a video published by Impact TV, Rameshchandra and his crew can be seen reaching Akampat relief camp in Imphal East to cover the IDP protest rally when they were approachded by police officer SI Nikhil Singh. Rameshchandra identified himself as a journalist, presenting his press card. Despite this, the police officer physically assaulted him, punching him multiple times, tearing his shirt, breaking his mobile phone and threatening to kill him. Rameshchandra was transported to Raj Medicity for treatment.

Following the incident, journalists, led by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, demanding action against Singh within 48 hours. Manipur police have since suspended the sub-inspector (SI) for “grave misconduct”, with the suspension period requiring Singh to remain at Reserve Line headquarters unless prior permission is granted.

IDP protestors at the Akampat rally, organised by the Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims, were met with tear gas and rubber bullets when police attempted to stop the group proceeding from Singjamei, with 12 people injured. The protestors were comprised of people displaced from the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh, where ethnic violence left 226 people dead and over 59,000 others dispossessed.