Man lynched by anti-drug body members; scribe attacked during violence

Members of the Anti-Drug Joint Committee assaulted a man during interrogation leading to his death in Manipur's Imphal East district. Following the incident, the deceased's locality members ransacked the Anti-Drug Joint Committee's office and the resident of its President. A journalist was, also assaulted when he, along with other scribes went to cover the story

Imphal: A man, claimed to be a drug peddler was allegedly beaten to death by members of an anti-drug trafficking body in Manipur's Imphal East district, following which a mob ransacked the organisation's office and the residence of its president, on Saturday.

A journalist was, also assaulted when he, along with other scribes, went to cover the mob violence.

According to police officials, Members of the Anti-Drug Joint Committee had picked up Mohammad Helim from his house, on late Thursday night claiming that he was a drug peddler. They allegedly assaulted him during 'interrogation leading to his death, the police said.

When the news of Helim's death spread, people of his locality rushed to Kairang area and ransacked the Committee's office and the residence of its president, Mohammad Ajimuddin, on Friday. Ajimuddin, however, managed to flee.

The police officials had to lob tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.

A group of journalists went to cover the violence and one of them, W Bikram Meitei, was attacked by the mob, and an official was injured while trying to protect him, police said.

Eight people were arrested, in connection with mob violence.

In a statement, All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) said Meitei, crime reporter of Echelon Express, was attacked with an iron rod and bamboo sticks. The AMWJU thanked Sub-divisional Police Officer L Sangkarjit and the police personnel of Imphal East district for saving the life of the reporter.