Violence Erupts at Vidyasagar Hospital in Behala Over Patient's Death, 22 Arrested

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 23, 2024, Kolkata : A tragic and chaotic incident unfolded at Vidyasagar Hospital in Behala late Friday night, following the death of a patient who had suffered a heart attack. What started as a desperate attempt by the hospital staff to save the life of Sheikh Mehmud Alam quickly escalated into a violent mob attack that saw over 150 people storm the hospital’s emergency department, vandalizing property, assaulting medical staff, and causing panic among patients.

According to hospital sources, Sheikh Mehmud Alam, a resident of Thakur Pukur, was brought to Vidyasagar Hospital at around 8:00 pm on Friday, suffering from a severe heart attack. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, including two rounds of CPR, Alam's condition deteriorated. At 8:50 pm, he was declared dead.

As word of Alam's death spread, his family and a group of local residents gathered at the hospital, alleging medical negligence and demanding access to the hospital's medical records. However, hospital authorities refused to release any documents without court approval, as per standard procedure. This refusal sparked anger among the relatives and a mob of approximately 150 people, who, by 10:00 pm, had entered the hospital’s emergency department.

The situation quickly turned violent. The rioters, accusing the hospital staff of negligence, caused widespread damage to hospital property, including medicine and equipment. In a disturbing turn of events, the nursing staff was physically assaulted, and three nurses were injured in the attack. Sources confirmed that the rioters had destroyed a significant amount of medical supplies, including vital injections and medicines.

In the midst of the chaos, hospital staff were forced to relocate patients to safer areas. However, the violence did not stop there. During the commotion, an 85-year-old patient named Shanti Sinha, who was receiving treatment at the hospital, reportedly died. It is unclear whether her death was directly linked to the incident, but the disruption certainly exacerbated the situation, causing additional distress to patients and staff. Some patients, in a state of panic, fled from their beds, further compounding the emergency response.

Police Intervention and Arrests

The situation only calmed when a large police force from Parnasree Police Station was deployed to control the mob and restore order. The police arrested 22 individuals involved in the violence, charging them with vandalism, assault, and other offenses related to the disturbance. Authorities have assured the public that an investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable.

In a statement, the superintendent of Vidyasagar Hospital condemned the attack, noting that the rioters had not only caused physical damage but also put the lives of other patients at risk by disrupting medical services. "The rioters have destroyed a lot of medication and injections. This will impact the hospital’s ability to provide immediate care to other patients in need," the superintendent said.

This incident underscores the growing tension between healthcare providers and the public in certain areas of West Bengal. While healthcare workers continue to be under immense pressure to provide care, especially in emergency situations, accusations of negligence and the increasing number of violent protests by agitated relatives of patients are raising alarms. The incident at Vidyasagar Hospital also highlights the broader issue of how the public perceives the quality of medical care in government hospitals and the tragic consequences that often arise when patients do not survive their medical crises.

The police investigation is ongoing, with officers reviewing CCTV footage and gathering witness accounts. Initial reports suggest that the violence was instigated by the family members of the deceased patient, but further inquiries will seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the riot. Hospital authorities have also promised to cooperate with law enforcement in identifying those responsible for the destruction and the assault on medical staff.

The incident has left many questions unanswered. Was there a failure in the hospital's emergency care? Could the situation have been handled differently? And, most importantly, how can hospitals and law enforcement work together to prevent such violence in the future?

As authorities work to piece together the facts, Vidyasagar Hospital and its staff are left grappling with the aftermath of an incident that has shaken the local community and drawn attention to the challenges faced by medical institutions in the region. The tragedy of Sheikh Mehmud Alam’s death has now been overshadowed by the violence that followed, and the incident will likely serve as a stark reminder of the need for greater accountability, better communication, and a more supportive environment for both healthcare workers and patients alike.