Imphal, June 27: The curfew imposed in the two districts of Imphal following the June 18 uprising has begun to take its toll on the daily maintenance of numerous essential services in the capital city.

RIMS hospital has suspended routine operations as many employees have not been able to attend office ever since the curfew was imposed.

Many patients needing operations are left in the lurch with nowhere to turn on.

Not only routine operations, even the Out Patient Department has also been closed down ever since the curfew was imposed at 1 pm on June 18. Numerous patients, especially from the lower strata who cannot afford private clinics have been left high and dry.

Following the round the clock restrictions on the movement of people the number of patients turning up at the hospital has drastically come down.

However, some of the staff who stay nearby have been turning up for duty and they are looking after the patients and manning the casualty ward round the clock.

Talking to The Sangai Express a high ranking official of the hospital said that since the staff attendance has been severely affected due to the curfew, the hospital has suspended routine operations and only emergency operations are being conducted.

The official said the problem is further compounded by the security personnel particularly the Para military forces �who don�t honour the curfew pass� issued by the District Magistrate for the staff of the hospital.

Disclosing that there are about 20 patients at the hospital awaiting routine operations, the official said there is no way of performing operations until the attendance of the staff improves appreciably.

On the other hand the acute shortage of water has begun to severely affect the functioning of the casualty ward.

As water supply is scarce, RIMS has to rely on water tankers.

Water tankers are also not available round the clock due to the curfew.

If the situation persists then the casualty ward may have to be closed too, said the official.

The condition at JN Hospital is a little bit better.

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