Imphal, Jan. 18: Two private clinics in Imphal city have virtually shut down following threats from two separate militant groups demanding “huge amounts” of money from the management.

Imphal Hospital and Langol View Clinic, both leading private clinics, have stopped admitting fresh patients from today. The clinics, however, are attending to patients who are already admitted. Imphal Hospital has 30 patients, while the other clinic has 10.

When the clinics were unable to meet the demands of the extortionists, Imphal Hospital was asked to “shut down”. Another outfit issued similar threats to Langol View Clinic.

Fearing attacks, the management of the clinics decided not to admit fresh patients for an indefinite period.

The clinics are yet to lodge formal complaints with the police. Police teams, however, came to the clinics and made queries regarding the development.

“Though we received no complaints yet, we have strengthened security for the clinics,” a police officer said.

“We received demands from militant groups. One of the groups last night asked us to close down until we pay them. Fearing attacks, we decided not to admit fresh patients,” a staff at the Imphal Hospital said.

An official from the other clinic made similar statements. However, the clinics declined to name the outfits or the total amount demanded.

A senior employee at Langol View Clinic said he did not know much about the development, as the senior management people were absent.

The entrance to the clinics remained shut, but small gates are opened for relatives of patients and staff members. Rajen Singh, a relative of a patient at Imphal Hospital said, “We do not know anything, but heard that there are militant threats. We hope nothing happens to this clinic.”

The virtual closure of the clinics came on the heels of an attack on another private clinic located in the Lamphel area of Imphal West last night. Police said unidentified gunmen fired at Shanti Clinic at 10.30pm.

An attendant of the clinic, identified as S. Aton Kom, 24, sustained minor injuries. The clinic, however, functioned normally despite last night’s attack.

The extortion demand on clinics follow the closure of all branches of the United bank of India for four days beginning January 8, while the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Imphal West was also closed for four days from January 5.

following similar militant threats. The militants finally withdrew their demand and the UBI employees decided to lift their ceasework.