Manipur: Tribals ransack Assam Rifles camp after youth dies

Imphal: A group of tribals, mostly women armed with sticks, stormed an Assam Rifles camp at Saibol-Sairem village in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, bordering Myanmar to the south, on Monday morning.

The protesters, reportedly from the Maring community and supported by other tribal groups, accused the Assam Rifles of medical negligence leading to the death of a 25-year-old man. A video circulating on social media shows irate women dismantling parts of the camp’s property.

According to the villagers, Sumithang Chisu, 25, a resident of Saivol-Sairem, fainted suddenly on Sunday night and was immediately taken to the Assam Rifles camp.

They alleged that the doctors at the camp refused to provide medical attention, forcing the family to rush him to Imphal for treatment.

However, Assam Rifles personnel at a security checkpoint reportedly stopped the vehicle and demanded proper documents, including Aadhaar cards.

During the delay, the patient died at Pallel along NH-102 in Manipur’s Kakching district, the villagers claimed.

A Maring organisation in Tengnoupal district condemned the actions of the security personnel and demanded justice, along with strict action against the doctors and staff allegedly responsible for the negligence. The response from the Assam Rifles is still awaited.