Three injured Kuki patients shifted from RIMS amid tight security following protests

Three injured Kuki patients undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, were shifted out of the hospital premises at around 12:15 am on June 17 under tight security arrangements following sustained public protests and repeated demands from civil society groups.

The transfer came after the Manipur government reportedly assured protest representatives that the patients would be moved from RIMS around midnight.

The issue had sparked demonstrations at the hospital over the past two days, with protesters demanding the removal of the patients and seeking clarification from the government regarding their identities and alleged affiliations. As tensions escalated around the hospital campus, security personnel had earlier resorted to tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Public protests intensified on June 15 after objections were raised over the admission of the injured Kuki individuals at RIMS. Subsequently, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh reportedly assured protesters that the patients would be shifted from the hospital.

However, when the transfer did not take place on June 16 as expected, protesters resumed and continued their agitation into the evening. Representatives of the demonstrators later met the RIMS Director, who reportedly assured them that the patients would be moved around midnight.

The protests continued late into the night until the transfer was carried out shortly after midnight. Authorities have not disclosed the destination where the patients were taken.

Speaking to reporters, one of the protesters said that members of the Kuki community had previously travelled to Imphal and received medical treatment without facing objections. According to the protester, the current demonstrations were driven by public sentiment following the recent killing of six Naga civilians who had allegedly been abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village.

The protester further claimed that the bodies of the six victims remain at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and alleged that no arrests had been made despite testimonies from released hostages regarding the incident. The protester also expressed concern over the timing of bringing injured individuals linked to the recent gunfight for treatment amid prevailing public anger.

Officials have not issued further details regarding the transfer or made any public statement on the concerns raised by the protesters.