Assam: Newborn missing incident sparks chaos at Dhekiajuli Civil Hospital

A CORRESPONDENT

Dhekiajuli: A shocking and deeply disturbing incident involving a missing newborn has triggered widespread concern and tension at Swahid Manobar Nath Civil Hospital in Assam’s Dhekiajuli on Wednesday.

According to hospital authorities, a pregnant woman identified as Punam Bhuyan from Julia Tea Estate, Dhekiajuli was admitted to the civil hospital on March 30, where she gave birth to a baby. However, in a dramatic turn of events later that same night, the attending doctor on duty discovered that both the newborn and the mother were missing from the hospital bed.

Speaking to this correspondent, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Durlab Chandra Saikia stated that the situation took an even more alarming turn on Tuesday when the woman returned to the hospital alone and was found occupying a bed without the baby. Upon questioning by hospital authorities, the woman reportedly confessed that she had sold her newborn for Rs 10,000 to an unidentified individual due to her poverty.

“The act is illegal and highly concerning. We immediately questioned her regarding the circumstances under which she carried out such an act,” Dr. Saikia said.

The revelation led to a chaotic scene at the hospital on Wednesday, as family members of Punam Bhuyan arrived and demanded answers regarding the whereabouts of the infant. Tensions escalated within the hospital premises as confusion and anger spread among the relatives and local residents.

Subsequently, both the hospital administration and the family of the woman lodged separate FIRs at the Dhekiajuli Police Station concerning the missing newborn.

During a visit to the hospital, Dr. Saikia informed that the missing baby has reportedly been traced and efforts are underway to reunite the child with the mother at the earliest.

Meanwhile, police personnel were present at the hospital conducting preliminary inquiries. However, when requested to provide copies of the FIRs, officials at the Hospital of Dhekiajuli police station declined, stating that the cases were yet to be formally registered and hence could not be disclosed at that stage.

The incident has raised serious questions about hospital monitoring systems, social awareness, and the alarming issue of illegal child trafficking in the area.

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