According to information, the incident occured at around 1.10 pm, when a group of over 50 people, mostly aged between 20 and 30, barged into the hospital and started searching for the medical officer on duty.
“When I went to question them about their presence in the hospital and whether I can resolve their issues, they were in no mood to listen. They were accusing the hospital staffs/doctors of negligence. Suddenly, one amongst them broke a glass door and another kicked a shoe rack, after which I decided to run for my life. They followed me and one even picked up a huge stone to hit me, but I escaped,” said medical officer Sujata Kamat.
The hospital staff and patients were frightened by the incident.
“I locked the ward door to prevent them from coming inside. After few minutes, one could hear property being destroyed and then there was total silence, leaving everyone scared,” said a relative of a patient, who added that everyone started running helter skelter once the mob began its rampage.
The mob damaged the entire casualty section of the hospital. Dr Sanjay stated, “The suction machine, oxygen cylinder, suturing materials, dressing table, nurse counter, injections, tablets and other equipment in the casualty ward were damaged by the mob. They also threw the generator set and broke several windows and doors before leaving.”
He informed that the hospital staff were unable to attend to patients, while a few patients took voluntary discharge from the hospital out of fear.
Police investigations revealed that the incident was sparked by the death of Baina resident Parshuram Harijan (23) on Saturday morning.
“As per preliminary reports, Parshuram, who had a history of alcoholic jaundice, was brought to the hospital by his family and friends on Friday evening. As his condition was serious, the doctors immediately referred him to GMC Bambolim for further treatment. However, instead of taking the patient to GMC, the relatives took him to some private quack, and in the morning, brought him back to Cottage Hospital. The doctors again advised them to take the patient to GMC, but he died before that, ” said Mohan Naik, Vasco SDPO and Dy SP.
He added, “The post-mortem certified that it was a natural death and the body was handed over to the relatives. The relatives went inside the hospital, leaving the body outside in the hearse, and damaged the hospital property.”
A case has been registered against the accused, some of whom have already been arrested, while police are trying to trying to trace the others.
