A 42-year-old man has died in India after the ambulance conveying him was briefly stopped by police to allow the convoy of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to pass through Silchar.
The deceased, identified as Rasaraj Chakraborty from Sribhumi district, died at about 6 a.m. on Thursday while receiving treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
According to reports, Chakraborty was being transported to the hospital for advanced treatment after his condition deteriorated due to a severe liver ailment when the ambulance was stopped at the Ramnagar ISBT area on Wednesday as police cleared the road for the Chief Minister’s convoy.
Footage of the ambulance waiting as the convoy passed later circulated on social media, prompting public criticism. Four police officers involved in managing traffic during the incident were subsequently suspended and placed under departmental investigation.
However, hospital authorities and a member of the deceased’s family said Chakraborty was already in critical condition before the ambulance was stopped. The family member said the ambulance was delayed for about 30 minutes but that the delay was not responsible for his death.
Sarma apologised to the family and condemned the practice of stopping ambulances to facilitate VIP movements. He subsequently directed officials to ensure emergency vehicles are given priority during VIP movements and ordered that his convoy be stopped whenever necessary to allow ambulances to pass.
