Protests Continue Over Treatment of Injured Kuki Men at Manipur Hospital

Protests persisted for a second day outside the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, as demonstrators voiced concerns over the treatment of three Kuki men injured in a gunfight. The protesters demanded that the injured individuals be transferred out of the hospital, alleging they were harmed while attacking civilians.

“

The sole responsibility of RIMS is to provide medical care to all patients brought to the hospital. It is the professional, ethical, and humanitarian duty of doctors and healthcare workers to attend to and treat…The public is earnestly requested not to obstruct or disrupt hospital services, as the Institute caters to numerous critically ill and emergency patients whose treatment and well-being may be adversely affected by such disturbances.

Demonstrators also questioned the security arrangements for ordinary citizens traveling through sensitive areas, including parts of Kangpokpi district. Security forces dispersed the protesters on Tuesday without resorting to aggressive crowd control measures. However, on Monday, security forces had used batons and tear gas when a large crowd gathered at the hospital demanding the injured be moved.

Hospital authorities reported on Tuesday that the health conditions of the three injured men are improving. The RIMS Nurses’ Association strongly condemned the security forces' actions, with a member stating that such methods indirectly affect other critically ill patients. The association urged authorities not to transform the hospital into a "warzone."

“

There are many other patients who are undergoing critical treatment, using such method of controlling a mob indirectly affects many of the patients. Even tight security is arranged at the hospital campus can cause a panicky situation.

The three injured individuals, identified as Lunliandan Vaiphei (20), Genzamang Vaiphei (18), and Paogoulal Chongloi (18), sustained various bullet injuries. Hospital authorities, speaking anonymously, confirmed that operations were successful and their conditions are stabilizing. A statement from RIMS Media Cell emphasized the hospital's duty to provide medical care to all patients, regardless of their circumstances, and requested the public not to disrupt services.

“

We urge the authority not to turn a hospital into a warzone.