In a swift response to widespread condemnation from the journalist community and the public, the Manipur government has suspended a police officer for allegedly assaulting a journalist during a protest on August 1, 2024, Thursday.

The suspended officer, identified as Sub-Inspector Sh Nikhil Singh of the CDO/IE, was relieved of his duties on Saturday. The suspension order was issued by the Superintendent of Police, Imphal East District, K Meghachandra Singh.

The official statement cited the officer's "grave misconduct," deemed unacceptable for a member of the disciplined police force. It also mentioned that a disciplinary proceeding is being contemplated against SI Sh Nikhil Singh.

SI Sh Nikhil Singh’s headquarters will be at Reserve Line, Porompat, during the suspension period. He is prohibited from leaving his headquarters without prior permission from the SP, Imphal East.

During his suspension, he will receive subsistence allowances as per the regulations. The suspension was enacted under Rule No. 66 of the Assam Police Manual Part 3.

The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) condemned the incident, describing it as an act of police brutality against on-duty journalists. They submitted a memorandum to the chief minister demanding appropriate action against the officer.

In a meeting on August 3, 2024, Saturday, AMWJU and EGM decided to organize a sit-in protest from 11 am to 2 pm on Sunday. They also planned to leave editorials blank and boycott government press releases as a protest.

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