48-hour bandh: All private clinics, local health facilities to remain closed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 04 2015: Almost all private clinics and Government local health centres in Imphal area will remain shut for two consecutive days as doctors and paramedic staff are expecting 'harassment and bullying' from bandh supporters on the streets during the 48-hour Manipur wide total shutdown called by JCILPS Student Wing.

The general strike imposed by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Student Wing began at 6 pm on Tuesday.

The Student Wing has called the strike to protest against Monday's police crackdown against students who were demanding Inner Line Permit System (ILPS).

Fourteen students were hurt in the incident that took place in front of the State Secretariat.

Proprietor of Adarsh Lab Clinic, Kangla Park, Shamurailatpam Surchandra told Hueiyen Lanpao on Tuesday his clinic will remain closed for two days to avoid trouble during the strike.

No staff members of the clinic are willing to come to the lab on these days because of the general strike during which unnecessary ill-treatment by ILP activists is expected.

Almost all private hospitals, lab clinics and Government PHCs and health facilities in Imphal area are also doing exactly the same.

People have witnessed media persons, doctors and hospital employees often being disturbed and intimidated by strike supporters in many parts of the State during the ILP movement which has been going on continuously for weeks.

Such incidents had been highlighted by Imphal-based newspapers several times.

These unwanted incidents are taking place despite repeated calls by JCILPS, which is spearheading the public movement, for keeping out media, medical, water supply, electricity and few other essential services of the purview of the protest.

Sources said agitators do no respect people in essential service and that personal IDs and documents are rejected by them.

Closure of private hospitals and other health centres during the bandh is not a good step as it's likely to endanger patients and other emergencies and that it could even cost human life.

One expectant mother who was being rushed to RIMS gave birth to a baby girl inside the car while being blocked by ILP activists who pelted stones despite frantic cries by the husband on Monday afternoon at the foot of the flyover.

The woman was identified as Oinam Ichal (24) wife of Sanatomba of Oinam Sawombung.

ILP activists pelted stones at vehicles at Uripok road and as a result the particular car could not proceed.

During the tension she gave birth to the baby girl.

Later, the protesters allowed the car to proceed and the mother and her baby were brought to RIMS.

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