Viral social media calls prompt civilian crowds at hospital, sparking fears for patient safety and appeals for urgent state protection amid unverified reports of communal slogans.
By: Lulun Haokip, Kukiland Express
Kanggui: June 15, 2026: Security concerns have intensified at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, after large civilian groups assembled on the hospital premises where three injured Kuki students from Leilon Munlui village are currently undergoing treatment. The gathering followed a widely circulated message on social media platforms that urged people to converge at the hospital, raising immediate alarms about the safety of the patients and medical staff. Hospital sources confirmed the presence of substantial crowds within the premises on Saturday, though the exact numbers and affiliations remain unconfirmed by authorities.
Eyewitness accounts from individuals present at RIMS alleged that the crowd comprised members of Meira Paibi groups alongside hundreds of Meitei and Naga civilians. Multiple witnesses claimed that anti-Kuki slogans were raised during the gathering, contributing to a charged atmosphere inside the medical facility. These allegations could not be independently verified by Kukiland Express at the time of filing this report, and hospital administration has not yet issued an official statement regarding the nature of the sloganeering or the identity of those present. The situation has left families of the injured students deeply apprehensive about continued treatment at the facility.
The three Kuki students were admitted to RIMS following serious injuries sustained during the recent attack on Leilon Munlui village. Medical personnel attending to them have privately expressed concern over maintaining a secure treatment environment given the external tensions. The incident underscores the fragile security situation in Imphal, where healthcare institutions are increasingly becoming flashpoints amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur. The lack of immediate, visible security reinforcement around the patients’ ward has amplified fears among community members and human rights observers monitoring the crisis.
In response to the developments, urgent appeals have been directed at the Government of Manipur, Police, and central security agencies deployed in the state. Community leaders and student organizations are demanding that authorities implement a dedicated protection protocol for the injured students, as well as for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers operating at RIMS. The calls emphasize the need to secure the hospital premises from potential mob activity and ensure that medical care can continue without intimidation or disruption, citing the neutrality of healthcare spaces under humanitarian norms.
As of Sunday evening, there was no official response from the Manipur Police regarding additional deployments to RIMS. The incident has reignited debate over the safety of minority community members accessing critical services in Imphal and the state’s capacity to prevent communal mobilizations targeting vulnerable individuals. Observers note that the convergence of social media incitement and physical gatherings at sensitive locations like hospitals poses a severe challenge to law and order, requiring immediate administrative intervention to prevent escalation and uphold the right to medical treatment irrespective of ethnic identity.
