Patient dies after ambulance stopped for governor’s convoy in India

A 42-year-old patient has died in India after the ambulance conveying him was stopped by police to allow the convoy of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to pass through Silchar.

The patient, identified as Rasaraj Chakraborty from Sribhumi district, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital around 6am on Thursday while receiving treatment for a severe liver condition.

According to India Today NE, Chakraborty was being transported to the hospital for advanced treatment when the ambulance was stopped at the Ramnagar ISBT point on Wednesday as police cleared the road for Sarma’s convoy.

Video footage of the ambulance waiting as the convoy passed through the area later circulated on social media, triggering criticism of the police action.

NDTV reported that four police personnel involved in the incident were suspended and placed under departmental investigation for alleged negligence of duty.

Sarma subsequently apologised to Chakraborty’s family and condemned the practice of stopping ambulances to facilitate VIP movements.

However, the circumstances surrounding Chakraborty’s death have remained a subject of clarification.

The principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Abhijit Swami, told Hindustan Times that Chakraborty was suffering from liver cirrhosis and died while undergoing treatment.

A family member also told the newspaper that Chakraborty was already in critical condition before the ambulance was stopped and that the vehicle was delayed for about 30 minutes.

The family member said the delay was not responsible for his death.

Sarma similarly said the patient’s death was not linked to the ambulance stoppage, while maintaining that ambulances should never be held up for VIP convoys.

“The patient was suffering from liver issues and I do not believe that the ambulance halt was connected to the death, but I am strongly against this culture of halting emergency services to pass VIP convoys,” Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

Following the incident, the Assam government directed district commissioners and senior police officers to ensure that ambulances and other emergency vehicles were given priority during VIP movements.

The Chief Minister’s Office also ordered that Sarma’s convoy should be stopped whenever necessary to allow emergency vehicles to pass, while limiting the convoy to the minimum number of vehicles required for security and essential duties.

Ministers, lawmakers, officials and other dignitaries attending the same events were also directed not to travel alongside the Chief Minister’s convoy.

In a post on X, Sarma said he had ordered an investigation into the incident and directed that officers found violating the convoy guidelines would face strict action.

He said his instructions that VIP movements must not disrupt ordinary citizens remained in force and should be fully implemented.