Imphal, Aug. 7 : The Manipur unit of the Indian Red Cross Society is set to provide first aid to those wounded during clashes between government forces and militants.
To ensure smooth functioning, the society has appealed to the people and the authorities to spread greater awareness of the Red Cross symbol and to check its misuse.
“Manipur is a conflict zone where frequent clashes break out between government forces and non-state actors, resulting in casualties. In such situations, the wounded need medical aid and we are ready to provide humanitarian services,” the secretary of the Manipur state branch of the Indian Red Cross Society, Dr M. Lala Singh, said today.
The society feels that avoidable deaths occur during encounters because of lack of timely and proper medical attention. “We will rush whenever there are clashes to provide medical aid. If a clash continues for several days, we will set up a camp nearby to provide medical aid to the wounded and humanitarian aid to civilians displaced by the gunfights,” he said.
However, the society feels that lack of awareness among people, including medical personnel, regarding the importance of the Red Cross symbol because of its misuse may hinder its plans. According to it, most medical personnel, drug stores and medical institutes misuse the symbol. “If people are not aware of the importance of the Red Cross symbol and unless its misuse is stopped, our humanitarian services will be hampered,” Lala Singh said.
Citing an example, he said when they rushed to Loktak lake for humanitarian aid during an army operation some years ago, the villagers, on seeing the Red Cross symbol, thought that the society’s volunteers were a medical team who had come to set up a medical camp. “Such lack of awareness does not make our task easier. I do not blame the people since doctors are misusing it. People simply think a people travelling in a vehicle having the symbol are medical personnel,” Lala Singh said.
He added that many doctors, clinics and drug stores had realised their mistake and were now using their own symbols. “But this is not enough. The state government should take steps to ban the misuse of the symbol,” Lala Singh said.
Rights activist Babloo Loitongbam said the Indian Red Cross Society’s activities were different from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), which deals mainly with armed conflicts. India does not allow the ICRC to operate in the country. The Indian Red Cross Society’s activities are mainly meant to provide relief to victims of disasters. He said its Manipur unit could operate in conflict zones with permission from the government authorities.
Lala Singh also said his society would take permission from the authorities before moving into a conflict zone or any other area. Established in 1961, the Manipur unit of the Indian Red Cross Society opened its district units in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Senapati, Ukhrul and Churachandpur. It is trying to establish units in Bishnupur, Chandel and Tamenglong districts.
The unit has the experience of providing relief materials to persons displaced in encounters between militants and security forces at Sajit Tampak in Chandel district and Loktak lake in Bishnupur district. It had also provided aid during ethnic clashes.
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