Imphal, October 15, 2026: At least 75 personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) and three civilian drivers were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital in Imphal on Thursday following suspected food poisoning.
The affected BSF personnel belong to the Delta Company of the 58 Battalion. They arrived in Imphal from Dimapur on Wednesday and were stationed at a temporary shelter in Imphal West district, in the Taothong/Lamsang area.
They reported symptoms of vomiting and nausea after breakfast and were brought to RIMS around 1 pm. Hospital officials stated that all patients received immediate treatment in the emergency department and that their conditions remain stable, with none of the cases serious at present. Dr M. Rameshwar, Medical Superintendent of RIMS, confirmed that the patients were responding to treatment; some reports noted dehydration linked to excessive vomiting.
Officials from the State Food Safety Department, along with a team from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, visited the temporary shelter. Food samples prepared at the site were collected and sent for laboratory testing. An official said the precise cause of the suspected food poisoning can be confirmed only after the test results are received.
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas (also referred to as Govindas Konthoujam) visited RIMS Hospital to enquire about the condition of the personnel and reviewed their treatment. Reports of the total number admitted varied slightly across sources in the early hours of the incident, with some local accounts citing higher figures while major outlets, including those citing PTI, consistently reported 75 BSF personnel and three civilians.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and further updates are expected once laboratory results establish the exact cause of the illness. All patients were reported out of danger as of Thursday evening.
