A mob stormed inside the compound of a major Government hospital in Imphal on Thursday after a Myanmar citizen who fled the fighting in his country was taken there for treatment. Police deployed tear gas to disperse the mob.
A large crowd had gathered at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in the afternoon after word spread that a Myanmar national was admitted there. A rumour was also spread that he is a “Kuki militant”.
Police said the man, identified as Khoantum is a resident of Thanan in Myanmar’s Sagaing region who was died at the hospital on Thursday afternoon for bullet injuries that he suffered during the violence in Myanmar.
JNIMS medical superintendent Dr Lokeshwar Singh did not responded to calls and messages seeking comment.
According to the security source, Khoantum was a Civilian who crossed the Porous International border area into Manipur after getting injured in Myanmar. He had sought medical aid at an Assam Rifles post in Kamjong district at around 2.00 am.
“He was provided first aid there and after that he was handed over to Manipur Police at around 3.55 am on Thursday. After that, they have taken him to Imphal for his further treatment” the official said.
Myanmar has been rocked by an escalation in violence since 27th October, with the launching of coordinated attacks against the military junta in different parts of the country. As a result of this escalation, which has fighting also reached areas of bordering India. More than 5000 people have sought shelter in Mizoram.