Guwahati: A patient being transported in a 108 ambulance that was stopped in Silchar to make way for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Thursday morning, triggering widespread outrage.
Rasuraj Chakraborty, a resident of Bangar in Sribhumi district, was suffering from a liver-related illness and had been brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday for advanced treatment after his condition reportedly turned critical.
According to reports, the ambulance carrying Chakraborty was stopped by police managing traffic at the Ramnagar ISBT point in Silchar to allow the chief minister’s convoy to pass.
Visuals of the ambulance being held up surfaced on social media, prompting criticism over the stopping of an emergency vehicle during VIP movement.
Sarma, however, said on October 1 that the ambulance had been stopped for no more than 30 seconds and denied any connection between the halt and Chakraborty’s death.
“The patient was suffering from a liver illness and the ambulance did not stop for more than 30 seconds, so both events do not have any relation,” Sarma said while commenting on the incident.
The chief minister also said he did not favour travelling in convoys.
“I don’t like convoys, but the DCs and SPs keep arranging them,” Sarma said.
Sarma maintained that ambulances and ordinary commuters should not be stopped to facilitate the movement of a convoy.
“Ambulances should not be stopped for convoys. Ordinary people should not be stopped either,” he said.
Following the incident, Sarma apologised on social media. The Cachar police subsequently suspended four personnel in connection with the incident.
The episode has sparked renewed scrutiny over traffic management during VIP movements and the protocol followed when emergency vehicles such as ambulances are on the road.