Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 5: Irate public blocked busy Jammu-Pathankote National Highway near Kalibari and disrupted movement of traffic for about two hours, after a middle-aged man died due to negligence of Medical staff at local district hospital here this evening.
Reports said 42-year-old Mehar Singh, son of Bishan Dass, resident of village Mulay Talab had gone to the hospital as he had some fever and pain in stomach. He was attended by Dr N R Bhagat who asked the staff to provide injection through drip set. Singh was undergoing treatment in the district hospital since afternoon.
As the patient was later provided an injection by one of the staff members, as prescribed by Dr Bhagat, the patient immediately started reaction and became serious. The concerned doctor and Medical staff rushed as attendants sounded them all. They provided additional drugs and tried to manage the patient but he died. The doctor and staff sensing trouble then disappeared from hospital. They even did not bother to declare the patient as dead. The family members and relatives of the patient started gathering and they lodged strong protest. Even the senior staff members were not available to control the situation.
A large number of people then gathered at hospital and lifted the body and placed on nearby National Highway at Kalibari at around 8.15 pm. They raised barricades and started dharna on the highway. They started slogans against hospital staff, Dr Bhagat, Medical Superintendent and Health Minister. Massive traffic jam was created on both sides of the highway. They demanded arrest of the Medical staff and registration of case against them. SHO Kathua rushed to the spot but people refused to lift body and clear highway. BSP leader S R Majotra and ex-MLA Babu Singh also reached there and joined protest.
Later, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Suraj Rakwal, Tehsildar Jatinder Mishra, DySP Daljit Singh and DSP Dar Mr Rohit arrived and started dialogue with the family members and others. They also had talks on phone with DC Kathua who was in Bani area today. They assured an impartial inquiry probe led by ADC Kathua and registration of a case in this regard besides recommending job for one member of the deceased’s family. The people then lifted body and dharna and cleared highway at around 10.15 pm. It took long time for the cops and traffic policemen to clear the fully jammed National Highway.
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