Chumoukedima, Nagaland, August 31 (HBTV): The identity of the person who shot HornbillTV reporter Dip Saikia on August 30 at Laii village in Senapati in manipur has been revealed. The village council of Laii issued a statement on August 30 naming the assailant as one Raiveinii Ramai. His age or profession could not be ascertained at this time but new additional details are expected. The council said Raiveinii Ramai is not from Laii village but from Phuba Khuman, and a resident of Council, in Senapati.  

Initially details that were given to our cameraman Anguvi said that the youth had claimed to be a Lotha person but later claimed to be a Poumai. Subsequently, it was revealed that he was of mixed tribal lineage. Availabe reports said he is currently in the custody of Tungjoy police station.  

A reporter of the Nagaland-based satellite news channel HornbillTV was shot in the evening hours of Saturday, August 30, in Laii village in Senapati district of Manipur. 

Reporter Dip Saikia was on an assignment to cover a flower festival called the Zinnia Flower Festival at said village when an assailant shot him.  

Curiously, Dip Saikia was recently caught in a viral controversy when the Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton publicly rebuked the reporter during a public meeting on a reporting matter.   

Initial visuals we received here showed Saikia suffered wounds in the armpit. It is informed that he was shot in the legs too. Please stay tuned for more details in this regard.  

The identitiy of the assailant, a youth, is being assertained at this time. 

He was apprehended by the villagers and was being held for questioning at this time this report was going to air. A first information report has been filed and efforts are currently on to identify the identity of the assailant.  

From HornbillTV 

HornbillTV is taking this matter seriously, and the TV channel shall pursue all legal and investigative courses available, to ensure this matter is brought to its logical conclusion.

An aspect of the crime is the nature of the gun that was used. Initially reports point to a certain type of air gun which can kill, according to people with knowledge of guns.    

The management and staff of HornbillTV denounce this attack on our reporter and the blatant employ of violence for whatever the goals the assailant wanted to achieve. We assure our full cooperation to the investigative authorities in investigating this case and delivering justice for the attempt on the life of our reporter. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Dip Saikia and wish him full recovery and health.