A tear gas shell fired to disperse protestors in the Wednesday’s late night at Kakwa area, Imphal West in Manipur, has allegedly resulted in the hospitalisation of a third trimester pregnant woman in critical condition at the RIMS ICU.
The victim woman is identified as Laishram ningol Naorem ongbi, Sangita Devi, 33, wife of Naorem Deepak Singh of Kakwa Naorem Leikai Lairembi Maning, Imphal West.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday at around 10.50 pm. when a combined team of state and central forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live rounds.
The mob was protesting to stop the continuous attacks on Meitei villages, which have been escalating since September 1, following an initial bomb attack on Koutruk, Imphal West, a Meitei village located on the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi district.
During the confrontation, the tear gas smoke caused suffocation to the 33-year-old, 8-months-pregnant woman.
After complications arose in her health, she was rushed to RIMS hospital for emergency treatment. Due to her deteriorating condition, she was admitted to the RIMS ICU ward with ventilator support.
Security has been tightened in and around RIMS hospital in Imphal.
Local bodies in the area have cautioned the government to launch a series of intensified protests if any harm comes to the woman and her unborn child.
“There are rumors that the woman has died but if the internet had not been banned, the public could have been better informed about the woman’s condition,” said a resident of Imphal.
Since September 1, at least nine people have died in various incidents in Manipur. On Monday, a group of students protested in front of Raj Bhavan and near the Chief Minister’s residence in Babupara, Imphal.
The students demanded that the unified command be handed over to the Manipur government and that stringent action be taken against Kuki militants, who have been continuously attacking Meitei villages with drone bombs and long-range rockets.
The following day (Tuesday), tension escalated at Khwairamband Ima Market. In response, the Manipur government imposed an indefinite curfew starting at 11 a.m. and also suspended internet services for five days.
Students in various valley areas of Manipur have been demonstrating in various forms, including burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, security advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, and former DG Assam Rifles PC Nair.
Meanwhile, Manipur Police has issued a fake news alert in connection with the incident
Responding to a social media post which stated that the pregnant woman had died, Manipur Police took to X and posted, “Advised to one and all to stop spreading Fake information. On 12/9/24 one Laishram Sanjita Devi(32) (9 months pregnant) w/o Naorem Deepak of Singjamei Naorem Leikai Lai Sumang, SJM- PS who was having medical complications was evacuated to RIMS Hospital in the early morning as she complained of stomach pain. As per RIMS authority, she is in ICU and under medical treatment.”
