Insurgency hits medical services in Manipur

Threats from the underground groups have now come to affect the functioning of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here known for critical care facilities.

By L C K Singh

Imphal, Aug 7 : Threats from the underground groups have now come to affect the functioning of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here known for critical care facilities.

Doctors of the RIMS held a sit-in demonstration recently against the high handedness of underground groups in the State.

The doctors were staging a demonstration against a militant attack on the house of the hospital's chief accounts officer by armed militants of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak).

The doctors want the government to step in and save their lives from the threat of militant groups, who demand ransom from them.

RIMS Hospital Superintendent Dr. Y. Mohen Singh said, "We had to hold sit-in protest in order to bring to the notice of the government that we are suffering. We want the government to act against the militants."

RIMS Director Dr. L. Fimate said: "We want peace in the State"

"Why should underground groups trouble a public servants like us?" asks Dr. Fimate.

Patients are the worst suffers as the doctors struck work.

"Coming here for diagnosis and going back without getting any treatment is one of the worst experiences for me," said Mohori, a patient at the RIMS hospital.

Many people from remote areas come to the RIMS seeking expert medical treatment.

"It is very unfortunate for all those who come for treatment from far flung areas. After coming here for a day or two, we realise that the effort has been a waste. With such thing happening all of a sudden, it is really sad," said Naocha, a patient.

Even the legislators are at the receiving end of the underground groups. MLA Salam Joy Singh was recently waylaid by miscreants, who snatched away weapons from his security guards.

The doctors feel that the civil society groups and the political class need to come together to deal with this menace of militancy, which is eating into the vitals of Manipur.

Meanwhile, alarmed at the rising militancy, the State Government has set up a task force to curb the activities of the underground groups.

ANI