Baby thieves prowl GMCH

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 21: A baby was stolen from the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital today, triggering a commotion in the hospital that is already under scanner for lack of adequate health care facilities, increasing squalor and rackets within the campus.

Today's incident has once again laid bare the lax security apparatus of GMCH as well.

The baby was born to one Mai Bibi, a resident of Mirza Tiniali, on Friday. Even since Mai Bibi was admitted to the hospital, an unknown woman had been coming to chat with her frequently. The woman had claimed that she was from Palashbari.

"Today, the woman had offered to hold the baby while Mai Bibi was being helped with lunch by her mother. Within minutes, the woman vanished with the baby," a family member claimed.

Another attendant at the hospital said this was the third baby to be stolen in the hospital in the last three weeks. "Two others were stolen on June 6," the attendant told TV channels.

GMCH authorities were tight-lipped about the incident, but police is investigating it. "We have registered a case under IPC section 363 (kidpping). Investigation is on," a police official said.

It is learnt that the gynecology department of the hospital do not have CCTV, which has made it tougher for the police to identify shady characters on the prowl.