Lynching of Md Helim : JAC refutes anti-drug committee's clarification
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2019:
The Joint Action Committee constituted in connection with the brutal murder of Md Helim, has come out strongly against the statement made by Md Anwar, general secretary of Anti Drug Joint Committee (ADJC), Kairang, that Helim had succumbed to a head injury he sustained when he slipped while attempting to run away from the committee members.
The JAC further alleged that it is suspected that Helim was brutally assaulted after he failed to pay the remaining fine amount which was imposed on him by ADJC.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Yunus Ahmad, convener of the JAC conveyed that Md Helim was taken away from his residence at Khumidok Umang Leikai while he was staying with his second wife, Suriya, at around 10 pm of June 6, by members of ADJC Kairang led by its secretary Md Anwar and president Md Ajimuddin alias Ibohal, who came armed with double barrelled guns.
He continued that yesterday the secretary of ADJC, Md Anwar came up with a preposterous statement claiming that the committee members did not resort to any extreme attack or assault against Helim and it was also alleged that Md Helim was caught with drugs and he had succumbed to his injury after he tried to flee from the spot and tripped injuring himself.
The JAC strongly condemns such false and baseless statement which is aimed at covering up the crime they committed as no drugs were seized by the volunteers of ADJC Kairang from Helim, he claimed and asked why the members did not take Helim to their office and instead took him to PYA ground.
Yunus Ahmad further stated that a fine of Rs 5 lakh was imposed on Md Helim after he was caught by ADJC Kairang and on September 18, last year, a sum of Rs 3 lakh was handed over to ADJC Kairang, at the residence of its president Md Ajimuddin alias Ibohal, in presence of Ibohal's nephew Basu.
However, Helim was further pressured to pay the remaining amount of Rs 2 lakh as fine, he said, adding that it is highly suspected that Helim was brutally assaulted by the members of ADJC Kairang for not paying the remaining fine amount.
He then appealed the authority concerned to arrest Md Anwar, who is moving freely and pointed out that it is a failure of the State police.
Demanding immediate arrest of other remaining accused individuals involved in the case, Yunus alleged that this type of incident concerning the ADJC is not the first case.
He alleged that the ADJC Kairang members consider themselves as above the law due to the alleged close relation with high profile leaders and appealed Chief Minister N Biren to look after the incident seriously and take up steps against the accused.
Yunus further said that post mortem of Md Helim was conducted at JNIMS morgue today but the body has not been claimed yet.
He also apologized on the JAC's behalf regarding the attack on media persons while covering the news on June 7, and assured that the JAC is looking forward to finding out the individuals who were among the mob who attacked the media person.
On the other hand, All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and the JAC came together for a meeting in connection with the attack on the media person, at AMWJU office today.
During the meeting, the JAC assured to identify and take up necessary actions against those responsible for the attack on Echel Express crime reporter W Bikram Meitei and also apologised for the unfortunate incident.
The JAC also assured to bear all the expenses needed for repairing the camera belonging to the reporter, which was snatched and destroyed by the mob during the attack.
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