NHRC Seeks Reports on Attacks on Journalists in Kerala, Manipur, and Tripura
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about recent attacks on three journalists in Kerala, Manipur, and Tripura. Acting on the reports, the Commission has issued notices to the Directors General of Police of all three States, directing them to submit detailed reports within two weeks.
The NHRC described the incidents as “deeply concerning developments that strike at the root of press freedom and the safety of journalists,” and said it would seek updates on the investigations, arrests, and measures taken to prevent recurrence.
In Tripura, journalist Kamal Kanti Jamatia—also referred to locally as Kamal Tripura—was assaulted on September 21, 2025, in the Hezamara area of West Tripura while attending a clothes distribution programme organised by a political party. A group of miscreants reportedly attacked him with sticks and sharp weapons, also stealing his motorcycle. He was hospitalised with injuries, and police have registered a case. The Tripura Chief Minister condemned the assault, saying “no alliance partner is beyond the law,” while local press associations demanded swift justice.
In Manipur, Dip Saikia, a journalist with the Nagaland-based satellite news channel Hornbill TV, was shot twice with an air gun on August 30, 2025, while covering a flower festival in Laii Village, Senapati District. He suffered injuries to his leg and armpit and was rushed to the hospital. Media bodies in the northeast, including the Manipur Hill Journalists Union and Nagaland press groups, denounced the attack and urged authorities to ensure journalists can report safely even in conflict-prone areas.
On the same day in Kerala, Shajan Skariah, founder-editor of the digital news portal Marunadan Malayali, was reportedly assaulted by a group near Mangattukavala, Thodupuzha, in Idukki District. Returning from a wedding, he was intercepted and beaten, sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment. Police detained several suspects. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists and the state Press Club strongly condemned the assault and demanded an impartial inquiry.
The Editors Guild of India called the three incidents “a worrying reminder of the growing hostility journalists face across the country,” urging State governments to “act swiftly and decisively against attempts to intimidate the media.” The Press Club of India also issued a statement demanding the creation of a national mechanism to monitor violence against journalists and ensure their protection.
Taking cognisance of these developments, the NHRC observed that “attacks on journalists raise serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution.” The Commission emphasised that a free and secure press is essential to democracy and directed the police chiefs to provide full details of the steps taken so far.
The three incidents, occurring within weeks of each other and in different parts of the country, underscore a rising concern over journalist safety. While state-level investigations continue, media observers stress the urgent need for a coordinated national framework for protecting journalists, especially in smaller towns and politically sensitive regions.
The NHRC has sought comprehensive action-taken reports from the DGPs of Kerala, Manipur, and Tripura within two weeks, including updates on arrests, prosecutions, and relief provided to the victims. The Commission’s intervention comes amid increasing calls for stronger institutional safeguards to uphold freedom of the press in India.
– global bihari bureau
