Drug user died, scribe and police injured in mob violence

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, June 7, 2019: One person allegedly a drug user reportedly died during interrogation by Anti Drug Joint Committee (ADJC), Kairang, Khomidok and Khabeisoi last night.

A journalist was allegedly assaulted by an angry mob that dismantled the office of the anti-drug committee and residence of its president today at Kairang, Imphal East.

The journalist was trying to fetch report of the incident.

The deceased has been identified as one Md. Abdul Helim, 61, son of late Md. Abdul Majid of Khomidok Jama Masjid Maning, Imphal East.

Helim was reportedly apprehended by the members of the committee from his residence yesterday at about 11.30 pm along with some drugs. The members brought Helim and assaulted at Progressive Youth Association (PYA) ground for interrogation. He was then tajen to primary health center, Heingang for medical treatment but the doctor declared him dead.

According to police when Helim was brought to the health centre both hands and legs were found swelling and bruises marks were also found on right hand and right side of the buttock.

The body has been admitted at JNIMS morgue for autopsy.

When the mob headed towards the residence of the committee president, Md. Ajimuddin alias Ibohal, 51, son of Md. Abdul Hadi of Kairang Umang Leikai, Ibohal fired some rounds from his license gun to flee the mob. Despite of fleeing the from the site the mob dismantled the residence of Ibohal where the mob destroyed some belongings of committee president.

When one of the scribes of Echel Express tried to fetch report of the incident some individuals from the mob snatched his camera and assaulted him with sticks and iron rode.

State police force including district commandos who were trying to control the situation rushed and tried to protect the scribe from the mob. During the act SDPO, Imphal East, L. Sankarjit was also injured.

To control the mob police fired tear gas shells, live rounds and later the situation was controlled. In order to maintain precautionary measures personnel from 2nd IRB and other police personnel from both Imphal East and West including women police were deployed.

A case has been registered at Heingang police in connection with the incident.

Police has arrested eight members of the anti-drug committee. They were produced in front of chief judicial magistrate, Imphal East.

Police told the court that another two drug users, Thongminlian Haokip alias Angu, 20, son of Hemmang Haokip of Zammi Vella presently staying at North AOC and Md. Sabir, 19, son of Md. Babu of Khurai Heikrumakhong Masjid Maning were apprehended by the committee. The committee handed light brown powder contained in transparent plastic suspected to be heroine number 4 weighing 4.16 gram, brown sugar suspected to be heroine number 4 weighing 5,94 gram with containers, six Meitrosum– 10 tablets, 180 WY tablet pieces and 748 SP capsules which were found from the residence of the deceased.  The committee handed over the seized items along with the apprehended persons at Heingang police station.

The accused were remanded for seven days police custody from today till June 13.