A critically ill patient in India has died after the ambulance transporting him was stopped by police in Silchar, Assam, to allow Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy to pass.
The patient, identified as Rasuraj Chakraborty, was being transported in a 108 ambulance from Sribhumi district to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment when the vehicle was halted at the Ramnagar ISBT point.
Chakraborty, a resident of Bangar in Sribhumi district, was suffering from a serious liver-related illness. He died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Thursday morning, October 1, after his condition had reportedly become critical. Hospital authorities subsequently described his condition as a chronic case involving liver cirrhosis.
Footage showing the ambulance waiting as the chief minister’s convoy passed through the area circulated on social media, triggering public criticism and renewed concerns over the handling of emergency vehicles during VIP movements.
Following the incident, four police personnel involved in traffic management along the convoy route were suspended pending a departmental inquiry.
The suspended officers include two sub-inspectors and two lower-ranked personnel assigned to police and traffic units in the area, according to reports.
Sarma Denies Link Between Halt And Death
Sarma, while reacting to the incident, said the ambulance was stopped only briefly and disputed any connection between the delay and Chakraborty’s death.
“The patient was suffering from a critical liver ailment and his death is not related to the brief halt of the ambulance for a few seconds,” the chief minister said.
READ ALSO: Indian Drug Exports Fuel West Africa’s Growing Opioid Crisis — Report
He also said he did not favour travelling in a convoy, but that district commissioners and police officers routinely arranged such movements.
Sarma nevertheless apologised over the incident and stressed that ambulances and other emergency vehicles should not be obstructed to facilitate the movement of his convoy.
“Ambulances should not be stopped for convoys. Ordinary people should not be stopped either,” he said.
The chief minister had earlier described the ambulance stoppage as unacceptable and ordered an investigation into how the incident occurred despite previous instructions that VIP movements should not disrupt emergency services.
Assam Issues Fresh Directive On Emergency Vehicles
Following the controversy, the Assam government issued fresh instructions to district commissioners and senior police officers on the management of the chief minister’s convoy.
The directive stated that ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles must not be obstructed because of VIP motorcade arrangements.
It also provided that the chief minister’s convoy could be stopped when necessary to allow emergency vehicles to pass immediately.
The development has placed renewed attention on protocols governing VIP movements in Assam, particularly the need to maintain uninterrupted access for emergency medical services.
While Chakraborty’s death occurred after the ambulance was stopped, the chief minister and hospital authorities have disputed a direct causal link between the brief traffic halt and his death.