According to the police, the court has remanded the culprit for 3 more days under police custody and will be brought to court for his final verdict on September 23. The police stated that the accused was arrested on the night of the incident and produced before the court on Wednesday.
TFM Report
Decrying the ‘’intimidation’’ of a nurse using fire arms at the Casualty Ward of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal on Tuesday night, the institute’s nursing staff under the RIMS Nurses Association banner held a sit-in, right in front of the institute’s casualty ward on Wednesday. The enraged protestors kicked off the protest from 8 in the morning demanding stringent action against the accused and continued till 5 in the evening.
Speaking to TFM on sidelines of the protest, General Body Member of the nurses association, Priyashini Heigrujam condemned the malicious action which could have led to serious altercations. She recounted that the unfortunate incident occurred around 7: 30 PM Wednesday when the accused identified as Khangembam Ratan approached the ‘’nurse’’ (the victim wished to remain anonymous) demanding her to attend his ward, a 14 year old teenager staying in the casualty ward. Priyashini maintained that the nurse was prepping to attend a cancer patient in another block, as such she asked Ratan to leave the bed number of his ward so that she can attend the patient later.
She alleged that it was right after the said conversation that the man, Ratan broke out in anger, hurling derogatory comments, claimed he was a RIMS contractor and going as far as to pull out his firearm attempting to intimidate the nurse. The action was totally uncalled for, as the incident had left a long lasting mental trauma on the victim, she added.
Following the incident, RIMS authority filed a complaint at Lamphel Police Station and the culprit is currently being detained at Lamphel Police Stattion. RIMS authority had also assured to follow up and work in close coordination with the police to resolve the case.
Priyashini warned that the nurses association will continue its agitation until befitting punishment is meted out against the culprit at the earliest and further demanded RIMS authority to recruit more nursing staff to keep up with patient intake.
Meanwhile, Medical Superintendant In-Charge, Ch. Shyamsunder asserted, the culprit was not a regular caretaker of the 14 year old ward. He further condemned the ludicrous behavior which put the lives of everyone present at the moment in grave danger. Shyamsunder also refuted the culprit’s claim of working as a contractor in RIMS, denying any present association with him. He also reiterated that RIMS authority will follow up on the progress of the case to make sure it is resolved properly.
According to the police, the court has remanded the culprit for 3 more days under police custody and will be brought to court for his final verdict on September 23. The police stated that the accused was arrested on the night of the incident and produced before the court on Wednesday.
According to police report the culprit has been identified as, 42 year old Khangembam Ratan, Son of Kh. Bidhu Singh of Sega Road Takhellambam Leikai. The police also seized one 32 mm Pistol along with 2 live rounds, registered under Ratan’s name. For criminal intimidation using firearms, Ratan has been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) 504 – Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. The punishment for IPC 504 includes imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. IPC 504 is a bailable offence.