Tribal man's death due to ambulance blockade by Youth Congress; protest intensifies

PALODE: A tribal youth lost his life in an egregious incident after the ambulance, he was being rushed to the hospital, got blocked by protesting Youth Congress workers. The incident turned into a political controversy as parties, including the CPM, came out against the Youth Congress. Binu (44), native of Vithura Kundalamkuzhi, Kallankudi, died in the incident.

It is alleged that Youth Congress workers stopped the youth from being taken to the Medical College Hospital from the Vithura government Hospital. The incident happened at around 2:30 pm on Saturday when Youth Congress workers were protesting at the hospital, demanding a new ambulance in the hospital, citing that the existing one was outdated.

Relatives alleged that Binu could not be taken to the Medical College on time due to the ambulance being stopped for about fifteen minutes. It is reported that doctors told relatives that Binu’s life could have been saved if brought to the hospital at least ten minutes earlier.

Binu was taken to Vithura Hospital at around 2:30 pm on Saturday after he swallowed acid. After administering primary treatment, the medical officer advised him to be taken to the Medical College. The Youth Congress workers, protesting in front of the hospital, saw attenders helping Binu to board the ambulance. The workers stormed into the spot and blocked the travel.

The medical officer had to intervene and mollify the protesters, after which the blockade was moved. Binu was rushed to the hospital, but he died moments before the vehicle reached the Medical College Hospital.

Binu's body was cremated in the house compound after the postmortem. He is survived by his wife Priya. His children are Abhishek, an ITI student at Aryanad, and Arya, a nursing student in Kottayam.

The CPM and Left youth organisations demanded that a case be filed against the Youth Congress members. Meanwhile, YC explained that their sole aim was to provide better treatment facilities for patients and cited how worn out the tires of the ambulance van were. The workers said that they feared an accident if the ambulance continued service in the hospital. The congress also stated that they helped Binu to be moved to the old ambulance when it became clear that the alternate one wouldn’t make it on time.

The police have registered a case against 10 people, including HMC member and DCC general secretary Lal Roshin, in connection with the incident. The case is a non-bailable offence.