Healthcare operations in Imphal, Manipur’s bustling capital, ground to a halt on Monday, September 22, 2025. This drastic measure, affecting everything from outpatient consultations and emergency services to routine surgeries at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), was a direct protest against the violent assault of a doctor by an angry mob the previous Sunday.
Leading medical organizations, including the Indian Medical Association’s state chapter, the Association for Healthcare Providers of India, and the Imphal Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, swiftly backed the strike initiated by the Teachers’ and Medical Officers’ Association (TAMOA) of RIMS.
Their collective statement declared a comprehensive 24-hour suspension of all medical services. This included diagnostic facilities across both government and private hospitals, as well as individual clinics and testing centers, commencing at 6 a.m. on September 23 and concluding at 6 a.m. on September 24.
The medical community issued a stern warning: protests would intensify and continue indefinitely until authorities swiftly identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who attacked the senior RIMS doctor. Their core demand is for a secure and protected working environment for all healthcare professionals.
At the heart of the escalating crisis at RIMS was the tragic death of 50-year-old Yambem Sanjoy from Bamon Kampu, Imphal East. He passed away shortly after being discharged on Saturday evening. In a shocking response, an enraged mob attacked the attending doctor and extensively vandalized the hospital premises, including the Medical Superintendent’s office.
Compounding the tragedy, amidst the chaos, a 35-year-old woman named Chingshubam Ongbi Manju succumbed to childbirth complications in the RIMS intensive care unit. This incident triggered a separate wave of fury, with her family members and local club representatives assaulting another doctor and causing further devastation throughout the hospital.
Despite the comprehensive shutdown, a TAMOA member assured the public that diagnosis and ongoing treatment for patients already admitted to RIMS would continue. The association firmly stated its intention to file official police complaints against the attackers and pursue legal action.
Meanwhile, some civil society organizations in Manipur, such as the Youth Forum for Protection of Human Rights, have voiced strong criticism of both the doctors’ strike and the alleged medical negligence at RIMS, asserting that it has contributed to the deaths of five individuals in recent weeks.