Gunmen open fire
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 05 2024: Unknown armed miscreants attacked a chariot being prepared for the upcoming Ratha Yatra at Palace Compound and a children hospital at Uripok in the last 24 hours.

While the firing at Palace Compound took place at around 12.30 am today, unknown armed miscreants opened fire at Angel Children Hospital & Vaccination Centre at Uripok Achom Leikai yesterday at around 5.20 pm.

The chariot was parked some distance away from the northern gate of the Govindaji Temple.

It is reported that some armed miscreants came in a four-wheeler vehicle and fired two rounds at the chariot.

The vehicle fled towards Palace Gate.

Soon after the incident, a team of Imphal East police including senior officers rushed to the spot and recovered two spent bullets.

Tight security measures have been taken up in the area and a case has been registered at Porompat police station.

Meanwhile, staff of Angle Children Hospital and locals of Uripok staged a sit-in in protest against the firing at the hospital gate, today.

It is reported that some portion of the hospital entrance got damaged in the firing but no one was injured.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur State Branch has condemned the act of violence towards the medical fraternity in particular and society in general.

IMA, in a statement, said that the firing at Angel Children Hospital where there are many patients, especially innocent children, is difficult to digest.

Saying that they feel threatened by the increasing incidents of violence and intimidation of doctors and their families, the Association added that such acts of violence will dampen the spirit of doctors dedicated to the service of patient care and contribution towards the welfare of the society.

At the protest demonstrations at Uripok, placards with inscriptions "Stop firing at the public place" and "We want a peaceful atmosphere at the hospital" among others were held.

Speaking to the media by the sideline, one of the protesters said that the attackers came in a moped and fired two rounds towards the main entrance of the hospital at Uripok Achom Leikai She said that the staff of the hospital and the locals strongly condemn the attack at the hospital as it creates fear psychosis among the hospital staff, patients, and people in the locality.

Seema Chanu, who is in-charge of nursing of the hospital, expressed outrage over the attack, stating that it was very unfortunate to target a hospital which is full of patients, mainly children.

She urged the authorities concerned to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Imphal police have registered an FIR pertaining to the firing.

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