BJYM and YADA members attacked in Imphal

Manipur police on Friday arrested two persons in connection with violence against members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Youth Athletic Development Association (YADA)during a drive against drug peddlers in Imphal’s Hatta Golapati late last night.
A reporter of a local daily was among as many as eight people injured in the violence that erupted after several rounds of gun were fired during the drive against illegal drugs.
Wayenbam Johnson, a reporter with Naharolgi Thoudang, a local daily, who was caught in the violence he rushed to the spot to cover the incident sustained injuries on his head and other parts of the body after he was physically assaulted by the mob even as he showed his identity card.
Besides, he also wore a “Press” jacket issued by All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union issued to the reporters in the state.
The reporters, along with the other injured people, were rushed to JNIMS hospital. BJYM Manipur president Barish Sharma and YADA general secretary Aziz Khan were also among those injured.
According to reports, a joint team of members of BJYM Manipur and YADA conducted a drive against illegal drugs at Hatta Galopati last night, around midnight.
During the search of houses in the locality, members intercepted 100 vials and 10 soap cases of suspected Heroin powder drugs in a locked room.
Upon interception, they informed the Porompat police of Imphal East district and continued to search other suspected houses as they waited for the police to arive.
However, they had to abandon the search and run away from the place after guns shots were fired at them from unknown directions.
On hearing the gun shots, local residents came out of their respective homes with deadly arms including knives and swords and chased after the members of the BJYM and YADA.
At least eight members, including BJYM president and YADA general secretary, sustained injuries as the mob attacked them.
Meanwhile, additional police force from Imphal East district headquarters rushed to the locality and took control of the mob.
The police further launched a manhunt operation and arrested two persons allegedly involved in firing gunshots. A small gun was also recovered from the possession of one of the arrested persons, the report said.
The Porompat police registered a case and initiated an investigation to nab those involved in the attack on the members of the BJYM and YADA, a police source added.
Mention may be made that members of YADA have been assisting the police and other law enforcing agencies in the drive against illegal drugs under the Manipur government’s War on Drugs campaign.
Members of BJYM have also recently joined the campaign.
There was also another instance in which a mob attacked BJYM members in such a drive in Moirang of Bishnupur district recently.