Three people were injured in a Kangpokpi encounter as protests disrupted services at RIMS in Imphal.
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IMPHAL — Three individuals were injured in a reported encounter between two armed groups in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Monday.
According to sources, the encounter took place near Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages under Leimakhong Police Station around 6 am. The identities of those involved have not yet been officially confirmed.
The injured were identified as Genlenmang Vaiphei (18) of Mission Veng, Lunliandan Vaiphei (20) of Kamu Tangnom and Paogoulal Vaiphei (18) of P Moulding. The circumstances leading to the incident could not be established immediately.
The injured were initially provided medical treatment at the Military Hospital in Leimakhong and were later shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, under tight security arrangements amid heightened tensions, as their condition reportedly deteriorated.
Sources said all three, belonging to the Kuki community, sustained injuries to various parts of their bodies, including the chest and back.
Meanwhile, a tense situation later unfolded at RIMS after news spread that the injured persons had been admitted for treatment around 1.30 pm. Their arrival triggered protests by a large number of people, including women, who gathered on the hospital premises and opposed the admission of the injured men.
Security personnel intensified deployment around the RIMS hospital and temporarily closed the main gate as the crowd swelled, disrupting the movement of patients, attendants and staff.
Read: 'An attack on all Nagas': 11 youth organisations demand justice over Manipur killings
Hospital services were affected for several hours as security forces attempted to disperse the protestors by releasing and firing mock bombs and tear gas shells.
The confrontation between the security forces, including the central armed forces, and protestors continued till late afternoon, during which a couple of protestors also sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, terming the report of escorting the three injured persons to RIMS amid the ongoing tension as "unfortunate", president of the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM), Th Angteshang Maring, while speaking to reporters, questioned the role of the security forces in taking such action.
"When the situation is tense, why they're bringing here? This is against the sentiment of the people," he said.
Sharing a similar sentiment, president of the Naga Women Union Manipur, Priscilla Thiumai, reminded that the bodies of the six Nagas are still lying at the mortuary.
"Bring the justice at the earliest," she added.