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February 19, 2026 – India –
A senior newspaper editor in Imphal East, Manipur, was attacked late on February 18, 2026, when unidentified armed individuals opened fire at his vehicle and physically assaulted him, local authorities and media reports confirm. The incident has heightened concerns about journalist safety in the northeastern Indian state, where political tensions and violence have persisted for years.
Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of the local vernacular daily Naharol Thoudang, was reportedly ambushed near the Hatta cemetery around 10 pm as he was returning home from work. Assailants fired at least two rounds at his car before confronting him on the road and beating him with a hard object, leaving him seriously injured. Loyalakpa was subsequently rushed to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal, where he is receiving treatment; officials have not provided an updated medical status.
The attack was swiftly condemned by local journalist organisations, who called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible. No arrests have been reported, and the police have not publicly identified any suspects or motives for the assault on Loyalakpa. A case has been filed at the Porompat Police Station, and inquiries are ongoing.
The Naharol Thoudang editor is widely known in regional media circles, and his newspaper has a longstanding presence in Manipur’s journalistic landscape. Naharol Thoudang has previously been associated with incidents of violence against media workers in the state, reflecting a broader pattern of threats and attacks on journalists operating in volatile local contexts.
Manipur has experienced recurrent ethnic and political unrest in recent years, with journalists often reporting on sensitive issues amid persistent security challenges. Media freedom groups and press unions have repeatedly highlighted threats to reporters’ safety, emphasising the need for stronger protections against violence targeting members of the press.
The assault on Loyalakpa has drawn renewed scrutiny on press freedom in the region. Journalists and civil society advocates are urging law enforcement to prioritise the case and ensure transparent action against perpetrators. They emphasise that attacks on journalists not only endanger individuals but also undermine democratic reporting and public access to information in a state marked by ongoing societal tensions.
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