Mob vandalizes Tezpur medical college

Non-availability of doctors alleged after accident victim succumbs in emergency ward

Correspondent

Tezpur, April 29: An irate mob went on rampage today at the Tezpur Medical College & Hospital (TMCH) and vandalized some units, after an accident victim succumbed to injuries, allegedly due to delay in getting treatment.

The protestors also blocked NH 15 for a few hours at Tumuki area.

Sources said one Mantu th  of Puthimari area and twelve other persons were on way to Tezpur Mission Chariali weekly market on a MAX pickup van this morning when their vehicle skidded off the road.

All 13 injured passengers were rushed to the TMCH, but there were no doctors on duty at the emergency ward at that time, alleged protestors.

"A doctor arrived at the hospital at 8.30 am, more than two hours after the injured were taken to the hospital. But in the meantime, Mantu th succumbed to his injuries. Sensing that the victim's death might lead to unwanted situation, especially because the people were already angry at the non-availability of doctors, all the medical staff fled the hospital through the backdoor," said an eye-witness.

The infuriated people then started vandalizing the hospital, prompting the administration to rush reinforcements of police and paramilitary forces.

Police later arrested Bhaikan th, Jitu Haque and Gha Kanta th on charges of leading the vandalizing mob.

The TMCH has been often been in the news for wrong reasons, with frequent allegations of non-availability of doctors, misbehavior of the medical staff and shortage of medicines. There are also reports of middlemen infesting the hospital blood bank.