Every day, something happens to shock and hurt the Malayali community, which is going through the hardships of life. If the boat accident in Tanur that claimed the lives of 22 people including 14 children was what sparked unending pain in human minds for the past three days, this Wednesday morning it is another extremely tragic news that has left all those with compassion depressed. The state is now in shock after Vandana Das, who was doing house surgency at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital, was stabbed to death by an assailant who was taken there by the police for treatment. According to the police, the accused became violent and stabbed the policemen, home guard, and the lady doctor on duty, while waiting in the room to get his leg wound bandaged. Vandana Das, who suffered multiple stab wounds, was rushed to a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram where she received specialist treatment, but her life could not be saved. Her life ending just as she was about to step into the profession that she carried as a dream, is enough to make anyone sad. She was the only daughter of her parents.

As with any tragic event, Dr. Vandana's tragic end also leaves many unanswered questions. One of the first questions that need to be answered is why the assailant could not be stopped from committing the evil act despite the presence of sufficient police force. The explanation given by a senior police officer to the media about the incident was intended to cover up the police's setbacks. The police explained that he was taken to the hospital as a complainant and not as an attacker. Why couldn't the police, who routinely deal with criminals, foresee how dangerous a drug addict who was violent at home and outside throughout Tuesday night would be, even if he was a complainant? Society has seen so many examples of policemen who take pleasure in arresting and torturing innocent people who have done nothing wrong, becoming mere cowards when they see criminals. The police had received enough information about the violent nature of the accused in the Kottarakkara incident. It goes without saying that such a person should have been handled with great care. The failure on the part of the police is the main reason for the untimely death of a young doctor named Vandana.

The impact of Vandana's brutal murder on the state's health sector has been seen. The doctors, under the leadership of IMA and KGMO, boycotted duty yesterday and took to the streets. Protests were held in hospitals across the state. The Kottarakkara Hospital, where the tragic incident took place, was closed yesterday and the doctors and staff went on strike. Needless to say, the grief and anxiety caused by a co-worker's on-duty tragedy can be immense for those working in the healthcare sector.

There are laws to prevent violence against hospitals and healthcare workers. When complaints were raised that the said law passed by the legislature ten years ago was not strong enough, the government had assured that action would be taken, but the deliberations have not been completed yet. Immediately after the Kottarakkara incident, it was heard that the Minister of Health would bring an ordinance to further tighten the Hospital Protection Act. It was heard immediately after the Kottarakkara incident that the Minister of Health will bring an ordinance to further tighten the Hospital Protection Act. What a pity that someone's life has to be sacrificed to take action on any issue. There is widespread concern over the recent increase in attacks on hospital staff. Doctors and other employees often went on strike in protest against this. It has become common for those who come with patients to maltreat the doctors. Even the higher courts have expressed concern over such incidents. The Supreme Court had recently directed the state governments to take strict action against those who dare to commit violence against hospitals and employees.

What makes the Kottarakkara incident even more painful is that despite the presence of sufficient policemen, a murder could not be prevented. When the man they brought became violent suddenly, the police tried to leave the scene without trying to subdue him in any way. Eyewitnesses say that the accused was finally bravely subdued by the hospital staff, home guard, and others. The High Court, which held a special sitting in this incident, had inquired whether the police had no gun to subdue the accused who stabbed the lady doctor and the policemen who came as rescuers. The locals also want to ask the same thing. The behavior of the policemen who witnessed everything like one in the crowd in the Taluk hospital is not suitable for the police force that is responsible for protecting the life of the citizen. The High Court's question about how young doctors and other employees can work safely in such situations is relevant.