Police reopens health centre locked by militants in Manipur

Police broke open the door of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Manipur which had been locked by militants demanding a portion of the salaries of the staff members, running into lakhs.

Police personnel attached to Lamlai police station visited the PHC at Sawombung area in Imphal East district yesterday following reports that the office was locked by armed persons who identified themselves as cadre of militant outfit People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) on December 30.

Police found the office locked and staff members standing outside the office complex.

They broke open the main door and allowed the staff members to enter and start working, the police said.

Manipur health minister Ph Parijat who accompanied the police personnel expressed unhappiness with staff members for not reporting the matter in time.

A senior staff member said PREPAK militants had demanded a monthly payment of 2% of salaries of the staff and threatened them with dire consequences if the matter was reported to the police.