Imphal, February 21: Crying for justice, the JAC formed in connection with the death of a woman on February 19 at the maternity ward of RIMS, has announced its decision of launching various intense agitation including imposition of 24-hour State wide general strike.

Addressing a press conference at the office of Zeliangrong Union at Kakhulong here today, JAC convenor M Dominic Kankhuwa said the JAC is constrained to launch the agitation as the State Government has not given any response to the appeal of the JAC to investigate the death of M Sangkhu.

The convenor alleged that Sangkhu died due to the negligence of the doctors on February 19. He informed that the JAC will kick start its agitation with mass Wakat Meephams in Greater Imphal area from tomorrow along with submission of memorandum to the Governor and the authority of the North Eastern Council.

In case, the Government does not respond positively after the Wakat Meephams protest, the JAC will impose a State-wide general strike for 24 hours with effect from 5 am of February 23 to 5 am of February 24, Dominic warned.

Even after this if the Government remains indifferent, then the JAC will go ahead with economic blockade along the National Highways for seven days with effect from February 25, he added.

The demands of the JAC include instituting a judicial inquiry into the incident, payment of ex-gratia to the bereaved family members of the deceased woman and action against the �guilty doctors�.

Dominic said after the death of the woman, people expected that the doctors would be more careful in discharging their duty.

But contrary to the expectations, they shut down the casualty ward of RIMS, thereby causing lot of difficulties to the general public.

So it is essential now for the Government to take up legal action in this regard, he observed.

Representatives of NIPCO, which is a constituent member of the JAC, maintained that the main root cause of the problem is the irresponsibility and callous attitude of the doctors in looking after the patients.

JAC strongly condemned such attitudes of the doctors and would not accept conduct of departmental inquiry into the incident, they said.

The body of M Sangkhu is still lying at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital as her family members have refused to take back until the demands of the JAC have been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, Maring Phunal Youth Club has announced its decision of supporting the agitation being spearheaded by the JAC in connection with death of Sangkhu of Sandang Senba Maring village.

On the other hand, while sharing the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family members of Sangkhu, Teachers and Medical Officers� Association of RIMS has strongly condemned the physical assault on Junior doctors namely Dr Aienla, an internee lady doctor from Nagaland, Dr Wanda, a PG student (lady doctor) from Meghalaya and Dr Johnson, another internee doctor from Manipur while discharging their duties on February 19 at the hospital.

In a statement, Association president Dr H Lokhendro Singh said such unwanted incidents which disturbed in the patient care service at RIMS Hospital should not be encouraged and let the attending doctors be able to serve the patients peacefully.

Non-Teaching Employees� Welfare Association of RIMS has also appealed to the authorities concerned to bring about an amicable solution so as to resolve the present deadlock at RIMS.

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