Manipur Crisis: Shortage Of Essentials In Hill Areas As Meiteis Refuse To Lift Blockade

In response to the Centre's call, the Kukis have lifted the blockade along National Highway 2 but the Meiteis have maintained their blockade, preventing any supply from reaching Churachandpur.

The central government has sent six teams of doctors to provide assistance.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Amid ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, the residents of the northeastern state have been experiencing a state of desperation and vulnerability due to the civil conflict which has led to a scarcity of essential items and medicines, reported news agency PTI.

In response to the Centre's call, the Kukis have lifted the blockade along National Highway 2 but the Meiteis have steadfastly maintained their blockade, preventing any supply from reaching Churachandpur, the largest district in the state with a significant Kuki population.

According to the agency, the shortage of doctors, particularly surgeons, has reached critical levels. The consequences are dire as essential medical treatments, including dialysis, and medicines for cancer and anti-AIDS drugs remain out of reach for those in desperate need.

Dr Tinglonlei, Medical Superintendent of Churachandpur District Hospital told PTI, "We really need doctors during this prevailing situation. We still need more senior doctors, senior surgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons, and of course, if possible, we would be really grateful if the government could send us a heart surgeon, a cardiologist, to deal with all these bullet injuries and tackle the complicated cases of blood injuries." 

Since the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the region, the hospital, which is the only major healthcare facility catering to a population of approximately four lakhs, has treated 288 cases of bullet injuries as of Saturday.

Following Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the violence-hit state in May, the central government dispatched six teams of doctors to provide assistance.

"We are really grateful that two doctors were sent to Churachandpur from the AIIMS, Guwahati last month. But we need specialists for chronic diseases," Dr Tinglonlei said. He added that the hospital needs medicines and surgical items as well.

The situation is further compounded by the sporadic gunfights being reported on a daily basis in the Churachandpur-Bishnupur region, leading to injuries and casualties. Dr Tinglonlei grimly revealed that the only machine capable of locating bullet injuries is currently dysfunctional, exacerbating the already-dire circumstances.

"Our hospital has run out of medicines. Forget about specialists, even doctors for viral fever are not available. Prices of everything have more than doubled. Even if we want to pay higher prices for the sake of our children, several items are not available at the market," Chong Haokip, the president of the Women Human Rights Group of Moreh town, said.

Similar concerns were also voiced by the residents of Kwatha, a Meitei village. "We are surrounded by Kukis, but they have not attacked us so far. We want peace as we are also facing shortages of food and medicines. So far, the Assam Rifles has been ensuring the supply of household items and medicines," T Ratna, a homemaker from the village told PTI.

The local population is also bearing the brunt of the skyrocketing prices and rampant inflation caused by the blockade.

"We are paying more than Rs 250 for a tray of eggs. The rates have doubled since May. Similarly, the price of mustard leaves has increased to Rs 50 from Rs 20-25. Prices of all household items have more than doubled," Jam, a woman, said at a Churachandpur market.

However, women's civil society group Meira Paibi, which has been keeping a tab on the movement of Army vehicles and supplies, said the Assam Rifles has not been acting in an impartial manner.

"We cannot allow free movement as Kuki people can transport weapons to the hill areas to attack us. We stop Assam Rifles convoys as they are suspect. Kukis have attacked us with weapons despite a huge number of Assam Rifles troops being present," Ngairangbam Baby, secretary of the Awang Sekmai Kanba Nupi Lup, said.

However, the Assam Rifles said that it has protected lives from both sides.

According to official records, more than 9,000 Meiteis were safely rescued from Churachandpur, the epicentre of the violence, while 3,500 Meiteis were rescued from Moreh.