Protests continued for a second day on Tuesday outside the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Manipur’s capital Imphal against the treatment of three Kuki members injured in a gun battle in Kangpokpi district the previous day.
The demonstrators demanded that they be transferred out of the hospital, claiming that they were injured while attacking civilians. They also asked whether similar security protection would be available to ordinary citizens traveling through sensitive areas, including parts of Kangbukpi district.
However, security forces dispersed the demonstrators without using mob dispersal activities.
On Monday, security forces resorted to using batons and firing tear gas when a large crowd gathered at the hospital, demanding that the wounded be transported out of Imphal.
On Tuesday, authorities at the hospital said their health conditions were improving, while the hospital’s nurses’ union demanded a peaceful environment in the hospital.
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Among the three wounded were Lonliandan Faifei (20 years old) from Kamo Tangum Village, Senapati District, who was shot in the right side of the buttocks and forearm; The hospital authority, who requested anonymity, said Ginzamang Fayfi (18) from Mission Pheng, Limakhong, at his right chest, shoulder and lower chest, and Pajwulal Chonglui (18) from Pe Molding Village, Limakhong, at his left chest, lower chest and an exit wound in the lower abdomen.
The authority added that the operation was completed successfully and that their health conditions are improving.
A statement issued by the RIMS Media Cell said that the injured people from Kuki were brought from Limakhung for medical treatment on June 15. “The injured were transferred to RIMS by 183 Military Hospital, Limakhong to receive necessary treatment.”
“The sole responsibility of RIMS is to provide medical care to all patients brought to the hospital. It is the professional, ethical and humanitarian responsibility of doctors and healthcare workers to attend and treat… The public is earnestly requested not to obstruct or disrupt the services of the hospital, as the Institute provides its services to many seriously ill and emergency patients whose treatment and well-being may be adversely affected by these disorders,” RIMS said in the statement.
The RIMS Nurses Association expressed its strong condemnation of the mob control activities carried out by the security forces.
“There are many other patients undergoing critical treatment, and using such a method of mob control indirectly affects many patients. Even tight security arrangements on the hospital campus can cause panic,” said association member L Ashangbe.
Al-Ashangbe said: “We urge the authority not to turn the hospital into a war zone.”
On Tuesday, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex Kuki body of Manipur, announced the lifting of the ongoing economic blockade of roads in its district following assurances given by the state government to provide foodgrains and essential commodities to the affected Kuki-Zu areas.
