Protest at JNIMS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 26 2015: Members of JAC against the closing of Pong Lambi today closed the main gate of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) demanding the reopening of Pong Lambi which has been closed recently.

The JAC members also closed all pharmacies located near JNIMS Main gate and announced its decision to boycott three Congress MLAs.

The JAC had, a few days back, threatened to close down the hospital from today if the authority concerned fails to reopen Pong Lambi within October 25 .

At around 9.30 am today, angry locals under the aegis of the JAC went inside the JNIMS hospital and closed down the entrance gate of the hospital OPD.

Soon after, a police team arrived at the hospital complex and tried to pacify the agitating people.

A heated argument took place between the police and the protesters in front of the OPD and during the course of the tussle, some of the infuriated JAC members proceeded towards the office of the Medical Superintendent and closed the entrance gate.

While the police led by SDPO, Porompat Police Station were trying to bring the situation under control, Director of JNIMS Hospital came in his vehicle along with his security escort.

On seeing the Director approaching his office, irate locals tried to storm his office.

In the course of the tussle between the police and the protesters near the Director's office, one of the security escort personnel of JNIMS Director fired a single round of bullet in the air which prompted the angry protesters to intensify their agitation.

Soon after, additional team from Imphal East district police arrived at the scene and seized the gun issued to the security personnel who fired the bullet and took him away.

The protesters were forced out from JNIMS hospital complex by the police team and they were herded up to JNIMS Hospital Main entrance gate.

Later, the local protesters closed down the main entrance gate of JNIMS hospital and further took out their protest and forced all the pharmacies located at the JNIMS hospital entrance gate to close down.

Police later picked up three JAC members for a talk with the Director regarding their demand.

However, no breakthrough was made during the talk.

Convener of the JAC, L Tomba said that people have been using the road even before JN Hospital (now JNIMS) was established.

Pong Lambi is an important link to various roads of the area like Tinsid Road, DC Road and others.

He also said that Pong Lambi remained closed when JN Hospital became JNIMS Hospital.

As a result, residents of the area have been facing many difficulties, he said.

The locals have already submitted a number of memoranda to the State Government, JNIMS Hospital authority and local MLAs of Khurai, Lamlai and Kshetrigao ACs seeking reopening of the road to the people , he said.

JAC also announced to boycott three Congress MLAs - Khurai AC MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, Kshetrigao AC MLA Amin Shah and Lamlai AC MLA Ksh Biren.

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