Imphal East Health Employees Protest Alleged Monetary Demands, Cite Rising Financial Strain

Imphal, October 29, 2026: Medical employees working under the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Imphal East, staged a sit-in protest at SAYC Ground, Porompat, Soibam Leikai, on Thursday, seeking relief from what they described as repeated monetary demands by various organisations, including civil society bodies and unlawful armed groups.

The protest brought together doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), health workers and other medical personnel, who raised concerns about the growing financial burden and its impact on their household expenses.

According to health personnel and a senior official associated with the CMO office, the annual burden linked to monetary demands and donations has reportedly increased from around ₹4–5 lakh before the violence that began on May 3, 2023, to approximately ₹16–17 lakh since the conflict began.

Employees Cite Additional Duties Without Extra Remuneration

Khagembam Bikramjit Singh, Pharmacist (Allopathy) and Store-in-charge of the Non-Communicable Disease Cell, Imphal East, said medical teams are routinely deployed for sporting events, cultural programmes and melas at venues including Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Hapta Kangjeibung and City Convention Centre.

He pointed out that these additional assignments do not come with extra remuneration, adding to the challenges faced by healthcare employees.

Several staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that monetary demands were being made both at the CMO office and directly to individual health centres. They said personnel at peripheral facilities could face demands at the district level as well as separate demands directed at their own workplaces.

The employees said lower-paid personnel, including ANMs, health workers, staff nurses and laboratory technicians, were particularly affected because their salaries left limited room for additional financial obligations.

Concerns Over Staff Safety

A senior official acknowledged the reported increase in the financial burden and said employees had approached the CMO office with a proposal to hold the protest. The office recommended the proposal, recognising the concerns raised by the staff, the official said.

The official also expressed concern about the safety and security of medical personnel, particularly women working at peripheral health facilities, where staff may face intimidation and disruptions while carrying out their duties.

During the protest, employees displayed placards appealing to organisations not to disturb medical personnel or impose excessive monetary demands on healthcare offices.

Call for Government Intervention

The protest highlighted healthcare workers’ concerns over alleged coercive financial demands and the need for stronger safeguards for medical personnel.

The employees called on the authorities to intervene and ensure that healthcare workers can perform their professional duties without intimidation or repeated financial pressure.

They stressed that protecting medical personnel is essential for their safety and well-being, as well as for maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services for the communities they serve.

The allegations regarding monetary demands and the reported financial figures were attributed to the health personnel and official cited in the report.