Stand off over Imphal East Hospital site : Mass protest demands Health Minister's resignation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04 2018: A protest demonstration staged today by people belonging to different communities against the Government's decision to shift Imphal East District Hospital from Sagolmang demanded resignation of Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar.

A large number of people belonging to seven communities staged a protest demonstration at Sagolmang Bazar and they put up placards which read as "Care for rural areas should encompass Sagolmang too", "Don't politicise hospital", "Don't invite public uproar", "People's Government should understand public woes", "Don't undermine public voices".

Before taking out a rally, they also raised many slogans opposing the Government's decision to shift Imphal East District Hospital.

Speaking to media persons by the sideline of the protest demonstration, Kuki Inpi Saikul president Seimang Lupho said that a hospital at Sagolmang would benefit not only people of the valley but also people of many hill areas such as Saikul, Karong and many villages of Ukhrul AC.

The Government's decision to shift Imphal East District Hospital from Sagolmang is unacceptable to Kuki Inpi, KSO and Kuki Women Organisation, he said.

While appealing to the Government not to shift the hospital from Sagolmang as there is no more controversy over the site identified for the hospital, Seimang warned that the hill people and plain people would launch several intense mode of agitation in case the Government chooses to go ahead with its decision of shifting the district hospital.

JAC spokesman N Dijen said that Chief Minister N Biren during a meeting held on April 29 with representatives of the JAC asserted that there was no controversy over the hospital site and people were aggrieved by a mistake of the department concerned.

At the suggestion of the Chief Minister, the JAC was waiting for the return of the Health Minister for a joint meeting.

But Health Minister L Jayantakumar has abandoned the alleged controversy over the hospital site and is now trying to defend his position by taking up the matter of compound fence.

Dijen clarified that the JAC has nothing to do with the construction of compound fence.

Decrying that Minister L Jayantakumar did not give any response to the JAC's repeated approaches for a meeting, the spokesman questioned whether the Health Minister has any authority to overrule the Chief Minister.

Alleging that the Health Minister is incompetent and does not respect people's sentiment, he demanded removal of L Jayantakumar from the Council of Ministers.

Maintaining that foundation stone -for Imphal East District Hospital was laid at Sagolmang with due approval of the State Cabinet and the Health Minister hirnself, MLA Th Lokeshore condemned the Health Minister's allegation that the controversy over the hospital site was created by Lokeshore who is the ex-Speaker.

Cautioning the Health Minister not to make irresponsible statements, Lokeshore said that L Jayantakumar should be held accountable if the present issue leads to casualties.

The compound fence was constructed with due approval of pattadars after proper demarcation and necessary fund was deposited by the department with MDS, Lokeshore said.

Reiterating that there is no controversy over the hospital site, the ex-Speaker pointed out that the Health and Family Welfare Under Secretary issued an order November 23, 2017 whereby it was notified that Imphal East District Hospital would be constructed at Sagolmang and Sagolmang CHC would be shifted to Bashikhong.

The plots which belonged to six pattadars have been already registered in the name of the Medical Directorate which is testimony that there is no controversy over the hospital site, Lokeshore added.

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