Imphal: Mohammad Helim, believed to be a drug peddler, was allegedly beaten to death by members of an anti-drug trafficking body in Manipur’s Imphal East district. Soon after a mob ransacked the organisation’s office and the residence of its president, police said Saturday.A journalist was also assaulted when he, along with other scribes, went to cover the mob violence.Members of the Anti-Drug Joint Committee had picked up Helim from his house late on Thursday night, claiming he was a drug peddler, and assaulted him during ‘interrogation’ leading to his death, the police said.When the news of Helim’s death spread on Friday, people of his locality rushed to Kairang area and ransacked the Committee’s office and the residence of its president, Mohammad Ajimuddin who had managed to flee.Police had to lob tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.A group of journalists went to cover the violence and crime reporter of Echelon Express, W. Bikram Meitei, was attacked by the mob, and an official was injured while trying to protect him, police said.In a statement, All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) said Meitei 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 reporter’s life.
