IMPHAL, March 11: The Mekola Primary Health Centre has been closed down since Thursday following a monetary demand of Rs 20 lakhs made by an underground faction.
According to a source, the demand letter was given to the hospital staff on Wednesday by some unknown youths.
Sources also informed that the same group has made another monetary demand of Rs 10 lakhs to the Mekola Veterinary Hospital, of which a newly constructed building is yet to be inaugurated.
According to the source, the doctors, nurses and other staff of the PHC are now reluctant to carry on with their duties following which the health centre was shut down from Thursday, informed the source.
People of the surrounding villages, who have been relying on the health centre, are facing inconveniences due to the closure of the PHC.
It may be mentioned that the PHC was upgraded and began functioning 24/7 about two years ago, and has been providing health services including child delivery facility to the people of more than 10 villages of the area.
Meanwhile, local people of the surrounding area haves demanded the outfit to withdraw their demands while adding that placing demands of such huge amount to the health centre and veterinary hospital is uncalled for.