Social activist force fed in Imphal hospital

A prominent 72-year-old social activist on fast since July 6 demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur was force fed at a state-run hospital after his condition deteriorated.

K Kunjabihari Sharma, advisor to Federation of Regional Indigenous Society, was kept chained to the bed on Wednesday at J N Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Imphal East district and was force-fed and administered glucose saline after his condition worsened, officials said.

They, however, declined to answer why he was chained to the bed.

Sharma told some reporters on Wednesday that he had been chained since he was admitted to the ward some days ago and forcibly administered injections. He said the chains were removed only when he goes to the toilet.

He was arrested on July 8 from a community hall on charge of attempting to commit suicide, officials said. Sharma was on fast, demanding implementation of ILPS to prevent influx of outsiders into the state.

FRIENDS claimed influx of outsiders to the state, particularly labourers and daily wage earners, if not checked would make the original inhabitants a minority in the future. ILPS is in force in neighbouring Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Several social and student organisations including the All Manipur Students' Union have joined hands with the RIENDS on its demand. Officials the Manipur cabinet had met three times on the issue but a final decision was yet to be taken.