Clinics, chemists protest monetary demands

Our Correspondent
THOUBAL, Jan 29: Facing rampant extortion and "unbearable" demand for money from "organisations", chemist shops and health clinics in the vicinity of Thoubal Hospital shut doors and held sit-in protest demonstrations today.
Protest demonstrations were held at the gate of the Thoubal District Hospital and near Arong Thong (bridge).
With the chemist shops and all the clinics shut, patients at the District Hospital faced inconveniences in procuring medicines and other services.
Notably, the protest demonstrations today came hardly days after the State Government established a dedicated "Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell" under the Home Department and launched a toll-free helpline number--1800-202-3326 for members of the public and Government officials to report cases of threats or extortion.
The Integrated Anti-Extortion Cell comprises representatives from the State Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Assam Rifles/Army.
During the demonstration organised by Pharmacy Association District Hospital at the gate of the Hospital, a woman pharmacist said "organisations" have made huge monetary demands which are beyond "our capacity".
"Since the beginning of the violent conflict in 2023, we have helped and donated money as aid towards displaced people and other victims of the conflict.  When we are still continuing to aid the victims of the conflict, some organisations have made huge monetary demands which we can't bear. This is unfortunate," she said. She requested "organisations concerned not to make monetary demands which we can't meet or bear".
At the sit-in protest organised by All Clinic & Diagnostic Committee (ACDC) Thoubal near Arong Thong, a woman said clinics in Thoubal receive multiple demands for money in a week which are "beyond our capacity".
"A clinic in Thoubal faces multiple demands (for money) from a number of organisations in a week. They are demanding a huge amount of money which we sincerely don't have," she said. She appealed to organisations concerned not to make monetary demands which they can't bear.
The protesters held placards urging "organisations" against issuing threats related to monetary demands.