Manipur: 3 Kuki injured men shifted from RIMS, police fires tear gas shells to disperse protesting crowd

IMPHAL: Three injured Kuki persons were shifted from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on Wednesday as tensions continued for the second consecutive day at RIMS till late on Tuesday night. The injured were escorted with heavy security.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse a mob protesting the admission of three injured Kuki men at the hospital. The three men, who were injured in a firing incident at Leilon Vaiphei village, had been brought to RIMS on Monday under heavy security arrangements for medical treatment.

The protesters, comprising members of the Naga and Metei communities, demanded that the three injured persons be removed from the hospital, alleging that they were militants.

#RIMSUpdate Protests continue at RIMS as people oppose treatment for Kuki militants. Demonstrators insist militants should not get medical care at RIMS. #RIMSUpdate #Manipur pic.twitter.com/KKmh95fIGa

— Poknapham / The People’s Chronicle (@PoknaphamNews) June 16, 2026

The protest, which began on Monday, intensified on Tuesday evening as a large number of people gathered outside the hospital gate and shouted slogans. Police personnel initially attempted to control the crowd and prevent the situation from escalating.

However, as tensions mounted and the situation turned volatile, security forces resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the mob and restore order. Security has been tightened in and around the hospital premises to prevent any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, a similar incident took place in Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary in Imphal East of Manipur on June 10 as police used tear gas to disperse protesters gathered at the area after the bodies of six Naga villagers, who were allegedly abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, were brought here.

The mortal remains of six persons were recovered following extensive search operations, according to Manipur Police. In a statement, Manipur Police said, “After nearly 24 hours of sustained search operations involving around 450 personnel of the Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles, assisted by sniffer dogs and forensic expert teams, the mortal remains of six persons were recovered this afternoon. The deceased are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13, 2026.”

The police further said that necessary legal formalities were being carried out and that an investigation into the case was under way. (ANI)