The incident took place at Moijing Khongkok on Wednesday night when a police commando team conducted a raid and detained two individuals, including 25-year-old Md Naobi, for questioning.
According to police, Md Naobi suddenly attacked commando Khoirom Suresh with a knife while being interrogated, inflicting grievous injuries. Following the assault, both detainees fled the scene.
Suresh was immediately taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead at around 9.15 pm.
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Police launched intensive search operations through the night and arrested the prime accused, Md Naobi, at around 8.45 am on Thursday. Efforts are underway to trace the second suspect, officials said.
The killing has triggered outrage in the state, with former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh expressing grief and anger over the incident.
“Deeply anguished and disturbed to hear about the Manipur Police Commando personnel who succumbed to his injuries after being stabbed by a drug peddler during an anti-drug operation at Moijing Khongkok on Wednesday night,” Singh said in a post on X.
“It is not just sad, but also shameful for all of us as a society,” he added, while calling for stringent punishment for those responsible.