By NE NOW NEWS
Imphal: Three Kuki youths undergoing treatment for bullet injuries at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal were shifted to Churachandpur Medical College after midnight under heavy security escort following hours of tension and protests at RIMS on Tuesday.
According to security sources, a convoy was arranged to transport the injured youths safely to Churachandpur amid concerns over the deteriorating situation at the state’s premier medical institute.
While authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the transfer, security officials described the move as a precautionary measure aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing further confrontation at the RIMS campus.
Tension had been building at the hospital since the admission of the three injured youths on June 15, with large crowds gathering in and around the premises and protests continuing for several hours. Security personnel reportedly faced difficulties in controlling the crowds as the situation escalated.
The transfer comes amid intensified security operations across Manipur, where forces have stepped up efforts to dismantle fortified positions and curb armed activity in conflict-prone areas.
According to the Police Control Room, security forces destroyed 26 bunkers in the sensitive Litan sector of Ukhrul district during coordinated search and area domination operations conducted over two days.
On June 15, forces demolished 12 bunkers under the jurisdiction of Litan Police Station, including two along the Shangkai–Mongkot Chepu hill stretch and 10 along the Leingangching–Sikibung village hill stretch. Security personnel recovered a pair of binoculars, 21 empty cartridge cases of various weapons and eight live rounds of single-barrel breech-loading (SBBL) ammunition during the operation.
A day later, another 14 bunkers were dismantled, including five along the Mogkot Chepu–Patlijang hill stretch and nine along the Lungphu Junction–Industrial Estate Centre hill stretch. Two empty 5.56 mm cartridge cases were recovered.
The affected locations fall within the Litan sector of Ukhrul district, an area that has witnessed repeated incidents of inter-community violence in recent months.
Manipur Police said combined security forces are continuing coordinated cordon-and-search operations and area domination exercises in vulnerable areas of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Thoubal districts.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam have recently stated that large-scale combing operations are being carried out to restore normalcy and prevent armed groups from regrouping in conflict-affected areas.
The state has also received reinforcement from three units of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), while Director General of Police Rajiv Singh is personally overseeing operations in violence-affected areas, officials said.