Imphal, Feb. 3 : Militant groups in Manipur have started targeting hospitals and educational institutes with extortion demands. The latest institution threatened by them is the S. Kumar Hospital.

Students and staff of S. Kumar hospital at Porompat in Imphal demonstrated in protest against the extortion demand of 50,000 per year, as was made by the People''s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (or PREPAK), a militant outfit.

The fear factor gripped many when a patient was made to deliver a live bullet to the Managing Director of the hospital.

"Our hospital is a big hospital but we do not have money. We run the hospital with much difficulty. We have very few patients and it is difficult to even pay to the staff. We are unhappy with such demands by militants," said Y. Surjalata Devi, a staff member of S. Kumar hospital.

"There are continuous disturbances even in the education sector. It''s not a free zone and so it is very difficult to teach freely. There is always fear among the students and the teaching staff. Such threats give us a sense of fear. Yet, we have to come to save the institute," said Ch. Monika Devi, a staff at the S. Kumar hospital.

Since its inception in 2002, S. Kumar ACS Hospital has been providing Acupressure treatment to over 2,209 patients. It has produced more than 803 paramedics.

In recognition of its contribution, the hospital was recently upgraded into a research institute and it is now providing three more courses under the Punjab Technical University.

"I request all our brothers and sisters not to demand such things from any institute. Not only from our institute but from any institute where people come to study and ensure a means to live happily after studies," said G. D. John Rongmei, a student of S. Kumar hospital.

Targeting of the hospital by militants, who claim to represent the interests of the people shows that they have no concern for commoners' lives. They are harming the interests of the state by hampering its growth and development. (ANI)