JAC protests woman's death after childbirth
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, July 30 2025: The Joint Action Com mittee (JAG) formed in connection with the death of Maibam Samita Devi held a public protest meet on Wednesday at Tekcham Mayai Leikai community hall in Thoubal district, demanding accountability from Thoubal District Hospital for what it described as gross medical negligence.

JAC chairperson Khundongbam Meratombi Leima said that Samita's death was a deeply saddening incident that has sparked fear and anger among women and the larger public.

"It is highly suspicious for a woman to die without a clear reason shortly after giving birth," she contended, stressing that such an incident could severely affect public trust in the district hospital.

JAC protests woman's death after childbirth

While people visit the hospital with the hope of healing and survival, circumstances surrounding of Samita's death have instead created fear among expecting mothers, she noted and called the incident a "murder" resulting from gross negligence.

The JAC made several demands, including thorough enquiry into the death within two days, termination of doctors, nurses, and staff involved from service, appropriate compensation to the victim's family, and state responsibility for Samita's two young children.

The JAC also declared it would not claim the body until the demands are met and warned of launching agitation with support from civil society organisations if no action is taken.

On Monday night, tension gripped the District Hospital following Samita's death after child delivery, with enraged locals damaging parts of the hospital and accusing staff of negligence.

Thirty-two year old Samita of Tekcham Mayai Leikai died around 11:10 pm after reportedly suffering complications following a caesarean delivery.

According to her family, Samita had been admitted to the hospital on Sunday.

On Monday morning, she underwent a C-section surgery conducted by one Dr Sarat and delivered a healthy baby boy.

However, by 4 pm, she complained of excruciating pain.

The family said that their concerns were dismissed by hospital staff; claiming the pain was normal.

After repeated complaints, she was administered painkillers, but no further steps were taken.

Samita's husband, Maibam Ajit, said that her condition worsened over the next few hours.

By 10 pm, she was struggling to breathe and appeared to be in severe distress.

Only then doctors provided oxygen support, but it was too late to save her.

Ajit, who said his wife had no known health issues and had been receiving regular prenatal care, blamed the hospital's negligence for her death.

News of the incident triggered immediate outrage in the community.

Residents from Tekcham and Thoubal Athokpam gathered at the hospital, damaging parts of the ticket counter before police intervened to restore order.

Samita's body was later sent to JNIMS morgue for post-mortem examination.

A memorandum listing the JAC's resolutions and demands was submitted to the Thoubal deputy commissioner.

Protesters reiterated that they would not claim the body until their conditions are fulfilled.