Authorities are probing the sudden deaths of three Assam Rifles soldiers, with post-mortem and forensic tests expected to reveal whether contaminated food or another factor was responsible.
BY PC bureau
MPHAL: Three personnel of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, have died due to suspected food poisoning at their post in Leimaram Waroiching, located in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The deaths occurred within 24 hours, raising serious concerns over the cause of the incident, which is now under investigation by both the police and the paramilitary force.
According to officials, five personnel initially fell ill and were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal on Monday after experiencing severe vomiting and chest pain. Among them, Lance Naik Rama Shankar (59), a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, succumbed on Monday itself, while Havildar Umesh Kumar (49) from Buxar, Bihar, and Warrant Officer (GD) Phoolchand (56) from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday.
The two other affected soldiers—Rifleman Ghanashyam Singh (48) from Atrarson village in Chhapra, Bihar, and Naib Subedar (GD) Gagan Singh (59) from Haridwar, Uttarakhand—are reported to be in stable condition. They are currently under observation at RIMS and are expected to recover fully.
Food Poisoning or Something Else?
Medical experts at RIMS have stated that all five soldiers displayed symptoms consistent with food poisoning. However, the exact cause of death remains uncertain and will be confirmed only after a detailed post-mortem examination.
While there were initial speculations about the possible consumption of spurious liquor, an Assam Rifles officer dismissed these claims, stating that the deaths appeared to be solely due to food poisoning. Manipur Police, however, have requested the paramilitary force to hand over any bottles of liquor the personnel may have consumed for forensic examination to rule out any other potential causes.
Three Assam Rifles personnel die, 2 hospitalise of suspected food poisoning in Kangpokpi district of Manipur https://t.co/MgRm1ZjvhI
— Pothashang (@pothashang) January 28, 2025
Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities have registered an unnatural death case and launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident. The autopsy reports, along with forensic analysis of food and beverage samples, are expected to provide crucial insights into what led to the tragedy.
Assam Rifles has assured that a high-level internal inquiry is also being conducted to ascertain whether there were lapses in food safety protocols at the post.
The Assam Rifles, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, plays a crucial role in maintaining security in the northeastern states, particularly in Manipur, where ethnic violence and insurgent activities have created a volatile environment. The force has been actively involved in counter-insurgency operations and maintaining law and order in the region.
Given Manipur’s complex security situation, the sudden deaths of three Assam Rifles personnel have raised concerns not just within the force but also at higher levels of governance. Officials are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that the affected soldiers receive the best possible medical care, and investigating whether this was an isolated incident or if broader safety lapses exist.
The bodies of the deceased soldiers will be sent to their respective hometowns after the completion of legal formalities, including the post-mortem examinations.
symptoms of food poisoning, but the cause of death cannot be confirmed until the reports are available.’ The hospital authorities also declined to disclose the condition of the remaining personnel undergoing treatment in the ICU.
This incident follows a similar tragedy on January 13th, when three personnel from the 63rd Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF), stationed at the Thoubal DC complex, died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. The victims, identified as H/C Ravinder Singh (46) from Jammu and Kashmir, H/C Chandra (54) from Uttar Pradesh, and Vipendra Singh Rawat (45), were admitted to Shija Hospital and RIMS in Imphal after falling unconscious. They subsequently succumbed to their injuries.
Foul Play not ruled out?
The deaths of three Assam Rifles personnel due to suspected food poisoning have cast a shadow over the security post at Leimaram Waroiching. While food contamination appears to be the likely cause, investigators are keeping all possibilities open until forensic reports confirm the exact reason behind the tragedy. The incident has also sparked discussions on food safety standards within security establishments, emphasizing the need for rigorous checks to prevent such occurrences in the future.
