Manipur: Tear gas fired near RIMS amid renewed demonstrations over Kuki patients

Protests against the admission of three injured Kuki youths at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal continued late into Tuesday night, June 16, with demonstrators intensifying their agitation and security forces resorting to tear gas to disperse the crowd.

A large number of protesters gathered near the hospital premises from the evening and remained there until around 10 pm, demanding the removal of the three patients who were admitted after sustaining injuries during a recent gunfight in Kangpokpi district.

According to reports, a delegation of protesters met RIMS authorities and sought clarification on when the patients would be shifted out of the institute. Following the meeting, representatives informed the crowd that hospital officials had indicated that the process of transferring the patients had already begun and that they could be moved by midnight.

However, the assurance failed to satisfy the protesters, who continued their demonstration and intensified their demands. As tensions mounted, security personnel reportedly fired several rounds of tear gas to control the crowd and prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

One of the protesters said that many Kuki people had visited Imphal and taken medical treatment before. That time nobody objected and allowed them. The main reason for protesting this time is that people are emotional due to the inhumane killing of six Naga hostages who were abducted by Kuki groups from Leilon Vaiphei Village. 

He further said that mutilated and dismembered bodies of six Naga civilians are still lying at JNIMS mortuary, demanding justice. Not a single person has been arrested so far, even though the released hostages have given their testimonies sharing their people involved in the abduction. However, amidst this situation, bringing the Kuki people who were also injured during the gunfight is very unfortunate.

Heavy security deployment remains in place around the hospital campus, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.

Also Read: Hospital not a battleground: RIMS nurses oppose security action inside campus

The controversy began after three Kuki youths injured during an alleged gunfight near Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages in Kangpokpi district were admitted to RIMS for treatment. Their admission triggered protests from several groups, who alleged that the injured individuals were involved in attacks on civilians.

Earlier in the evening, representatives of the protesting groups met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand and sought intervention in the matter. According to protest leaders, the Chief Minister assured them that the patients would be shifted from the hospital.

Despite the reported assurance, the injured patients remained at RIMS as of late Tuesday night, leading to renewed anger among demonstrators.

Hospital authorities have maintained that RIMS is obligated to provide medical treatment to all patients brought to the institution, irrespective of the circumstances of their injuries, while stressing the need to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.

The situation around RIMS remains tense, with authorities urging restraint and appealing for peace as efforts continue to prevent further escalation.