Tehelka gets journalism award

NEW DELHI - News magazine Tehelka was awarded the International Press Institute (IPI) India award for its report on human rights violations in Manipur, a statement released Wednesday said.

The magazine had in 2009 reported on the brutal execution of a youth by security forces in Manipur, along with photographs.

“It was a gross violation of human rights, as the right to life of a young citizen was extinguished by those who are expected to protect the citizen from such onslaughts,” the statement by the jury said.

The jury noted that “the report had a great public impact as even the chief minister of Manipur… admitted that he had been misled into making a statement to the contrary. A judicial enquiry was ordered by him and six commandos were placed under suspension.”

The jury, headed by former chief justice of India A.S. Anand, included N. Ravi, editor of The Hindu and chairman, IPI-India, and T.N. Ninan, editor, Business Standard, among others.

The award includes a cash prize of Rs.2 lakh, a trophy and a citation, which will be presented in December at a function here.