SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 25: A violent mob vandalized Asarfi Hospital in Baramuri on Friday night after doctors declared a road accident victim, 22-year-old Nandu Kumar, brought dead. The incident took place around 9 p.m. under Dhanbad Sadar police station limits.
According to police, three youths were injured in a collision between two motorcycles on the eight-lane road near Baramuri. The injured were immediately taken to Asarfi Hospital, where doctors pronounced Nandu dead on arrival. The other two injured were referred to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) for further treatment.
Hospital Property Damaged, Staff Assaulted
Following the declaration of death, Nandu’s relatives and several outsiders allegedly became violent, accusing hospital staff of delay in treatment. The mob ransacked the emergency and ICU wards, damaging equipment and hospital property.
Asarfi Hospital’s Executive Director, Harendra Singh, said the attackers destroyed 15 ventilators, ECG and echocardiography machines, and other medical equipment, causing losses estimated at ₹50 lakh. They also broke the windshields of 15 ambulances parked in the hospital campus and assaulted nursing staff.
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Police Use Mild Force to Control Mob
Upon receiving information, Dhanbad Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge RN Thakur rushed to the hospital with additional forces to restore order, as more than 150 patients were admitted at the time.
The mob later blocked the eight-lane road to protest Nandu’s death and began pelting stones at police personnel. Officers had to resort to mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Two policemen sustained injuries in the stone-pelting incident. Thakur said CCTV footage is being examined to identify those involved in the vandalism.
FIR to Be Lodged After Damage Assessment
Hospital Executive Director Harendra Singh stated that an FIR could not be filed immediately due to the late hour but confirmed that it would be lodged after assessing the total damage and reviewing CCTV footage.
Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) state president Dr. A.K. Singh took serious note of the incident and spoke to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar, urging strict action against the miscreants. “The SSP has assured that those identified in the CCTV footage will face appropriate action,” Dr. Singh said.