Starting midnight on August 3, a 48-hour general strike in Thoubal District, Manipur, has been called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed after the death of a pregnant woman, Maibam Ongbi Samita Devi of Tekcham, following her admission to Thoubal District Hospital.
The JAC alleged that the death resulted from hospital negligence, claiming she received no immediate medical attention or attendance despite screaming in labour and showing clear signs of an emergency. The family insists that timely intervention could have saved both mother and child.
The JAC Chairperson has demanded a thorough investigation, the termination of the doctor, nurse, and staff allegedly involved, financial compensation for the bereaved family, and official acknowledgment of the unborn child’s death. She urged civil society groups, local clubs, and residents to support the strike peacefully and warned of stronger protests if the demands go unmet.
The JAC described the agitation as part of a larger movement for accountability in the healthcare system to prevent such tragedies in the future.
