CRPF-Escorted Medical Team Attacked at Chawangkining; Three Ambulances Smashed, Medicines Worth Lakhs Destroyed

In a shocking breach of security, a medical team comprising doctors and laboratory technicians from Kangpokpi District Headquarters was allegedly attacked and assaulted by a group of people at Chawangkining Liangmei Naga village, around 12 km from Kangpokpi town, despite being escorted by CRPF personnel.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon at around 2:30 pm, has triggered serious questions over the ability of security forces to protect even escorted civilian medical personnel travelling on official duty, deepening an already widening trust deficit among the people.

Three ambulances accompanying the medical team were allegedly vandalised, while medicines worth lakhs of rupees carried for the scheduled medical outreach were reportedly taken out of the vehicles and destroyed.

The medical personnel were travelling to Primary Health Centre (PHC) T. Waichong as part of an initiative of the Kangpokpi District Administration to facilitate essential medical services at the health centre, where medical officers are currently unavailable.

The team, comprising doctors and laboratory technicians, had left Kangpokpi District Headquarters along with three ambulances under CRPF escort for their scheduled duty at the PHC.

However, the journey turned violent when the convoy reached Chawangkining Liangmei Naga village.

According to an ambulance driver who was part of the convoy, a large number of people stopped the vehicles. The situation initially appeared normal but suddenly escalated, with members of the crowd allegedly becoming aggressive and assaulting the medical personnel.

In a particularly alarming act of violence, one person, the driver said, climbed onto the bonnet of an ambulance carrying a large stone and smashed its windshield.

The attackers allegedly proceeded to remove medicines from the ambulances and destroy them, while the vehicles were vandalised.

Dr Pum Za Mang Shoute, a member of the medical team, sustained facial injuries after being struck by shattered windshield glass. He was provided first aid at Kangpokpi District Hospital after the team returned from the scene.

“We were carrying medicines to save lives, yet we were attacked, our ambulances were smashed and the medicines meant for patients were destroyed. What is most frightening is that this happened while we were under security escort. If doctors cannot be protected while performing their duty, how can we be expected to go back and serve the people?” said Dr Shoute.

The incident has raised serious concerns over the apparent failure of the CRPF personnel accompanying the medical team to prevent the assault and protect the doctors, technicians, ambulance drivers and other civilian personnel under their escort.

The fact that the convoy was allegedly attacked despite the presence of armed security personnel has particularly alarmed the medical fraternity and raised questions over the safety of government personnel being deployed to provide essential services in vulnerable areas.

The assaulted medical personnel said they could not identify the attackers by name, but some were known to them by face.

The destruction of medicines intended for patients at PHC T. Waichong has also added a serious humanitarian dimension to the incident, potentially disrupting medical services meant for civilians in an already underserved area.

Following the incident, the District Hospital Kangpokpi authorities lodged a formal complaint at Kangpokpi Police Station, seeking registration of an FIR and legal action in connection with the alleged assault, vandalism and destruction of medical supplies.

The attack on a medical team travelling on official duty has also raised broader questions over the security environment along roads connecting Kangpokpi with vulnerable areas and whether civilian personnel can safely discharge their duties even when accompanied by security forces.

The incident assumes added significance as the district administration had specifically mobilised the medical team to bridge the critical shortage of medical officers at PHC T. Waichong.

The alleged assault on doctors and laboratory technicians—and the vandalisation of ambulances carrying life-saving medicines—has therefore been viewed as not merely an attack on government personnel, but a direct blow to efforts to deliver basic healthcare to civilians.

With a formal complaint now lodged, the medical fraternity and district authorities are expected to look to the security and civil administration for a swift investigation, identification of all those responsible and firm action to restore confidence in the safety of personnel providing essential public services.