Imphal : Three Injured Kuki-Zo Men Shifted From RIMS To Churachandpur Hospital

Guwahati : Amid the simmering tension and protest, the state authorities on Wednesday was compelled to shift three Kuki-Zo men, who were injured in a gunfight, to Churachandpur Medical College from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The decision to shift Kuki-Zo men came after the Manipur government assured protestors who demanded the removal of the injured patients and sought to know their identities and alleged affiliation with the organisation.

Tension was prevailing in Imphal since the admission of three Kuki-Zo men, who were injured in a gunfight, to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). An angry crowd had gathered outside the hospital building again on Tuesday night. Security forces used teargas to disperse the crowd.

Similar protest took place on Monday, after which security was deployed on the premises.

Those agitating against the admission include members of the Meitei and Naga communities, who continued to gather despite the heavy deployment of security forces.

Earlier, the RIMS media cell also issued a statement that all its services and departments were functioning normally. The. Hospital authorities condemned the use of teargas within the hospital premises.

“RIMS strongly condemns the firing of mock bombs and smoke bombs within the hospital premises following the large-scale public protest that occurred yesterday. The institute expresses grave concern over the potential risks posed by such actions to patients, attendants, healthcare personnel, and the general public. Any activity that may compromise safety within the premises is a matter of serious concern and must be strictly avoided,” it stated.

The situation in Imphal and at the hospital has been tense since Monday morning after three Kuki-Zo men who sustained bullet injuries in an exchange of fire in Kangpokpi district between suspected Naga and Kuki-Zo groups were admitted there.