Three injured Kuki patients who had been undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, were shifted to Churachandpur Medical College at around 12:15 am on June 17 under tight security following two days of sustained public protests.
The transfer came after the Manipur government reportedly assured representatives of the protesters that the patients would be moved from RIMS around midnight. The issue had triggered demonstrations at the hospital, with protesters demanding the removal of the injured patients and seeking clarification regarding their identities and alleged affiliations.
As tensions escalated at the RIMS campus, security personnel deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators and restore order.
Public protests intensified after reports emerged on June 15 regarding the admission of the injured Kuki individuals at the institute. Following the demonstrations, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh reportedly assured protesters that arrangements would be made to shift the patients.
However, when the transfer did not take place on June 16 as expected, demonstrators resumed their agitation and continued protesting into the evening.
Representatives of the protesters later held discussions with the RIMS Director, who reportedly assured them that the patients would be shifted around midnight. The protests continued late into the night until the transfer was carried out shortly after midnight.
The patients were subsequently moved to Churachandpur Medical College under heightened security arrangements. Authorities have not issued any further statement regarding the transfer.
