Suspected arm militants torched medical supplies worth of 45 lakh

Imphal: In a harrowing incident along the Imphal-Dimapur road in Manipur’s Kangpokpi sector, suspected militants set fire to essential medical supplies worth Rs 45 lakh destined for Imphal.
The deliberate attack involved hijacking a Mahindra Bolero pick-up van, offloading priceless medical supplies and setting fire to a nearby government high school.
This brazen action has raised serious concerns, threatening Manipur’s compromised security and supply chain integrity.
On Saturday evening, suspected militants intercepted a vehicle carrying medical supplies to Imphal. Initial reports indicate a staggering amount of medical inventory caught in the fire, highlighting the sheer magnitude of this malicious arson.
The wanton destruction of medical supplies by suspected militants not only undermines immediate health care but also threatens the entire state’s reliance on these life-saving resources for its population.

Medical equipment plays a pivotal role in upholding healthcare services, particularly in the underserved regions. The decimation of these supplies not only disrupts immediate healthcare access but also casts ominous shadows over the long-term well-being of affected communities.

The annihilated consignment’s significance in catering to healthcare needs accentuates the gravity of this appalling incident and its direct ramifications on the region’s medical infrastructure.

Manipur’s vital lifeline, the National Highway 2, has grappled with safety concerns since ethnic clashes in May this year, causing disruptions in crucial transit of goods.

Repeated instances of vehicular interceptions and conflagration underscore persistent hazards along this route.

Despite the government’s assurance of safety on December 21, people remain unwilling to risk travel along this perilous stretch, signaling a glaring lack of confidence in current security measures.

This incident transpires against a backdrop of historical discord, stressing the urgent need to address underlying grievances to forestall such catastrophic occurrences.