Date:14/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/14/stories/2007081461660300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Army starts inquiry into MCH incident

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Army has started an inquiry into the alleged incident of army men threatening a duty doctor in the casualty wing of Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) on Saturday night.

Bhanu Pratap Tiwari, son of Subedar R.N. Tiwari of the Assam Regiment, was admitted to the MCH after being injured in a motorbike accident near Shanghumughom beach on Saturday evening. Bhanu, a Bangalore-based student, had come to visit his father who is currently stationed at the Military Station, Pangode. According to the police, Bhanu was admitted to the hospital in an inebriated condition. The duty doctor, Jobby John, administered first aid to the 22-year-old youth and recommended that he be electronically scanned for possible internal injuries. Soon, four persons wearing civil dress arrived at the casualty and claimed they were Army officers. One of them said he was the ‘commanding officer’ of Subedar Tiwari’s unit. He directed the doctor to discharge Bhanu. He said he wanted to take the youth to a private hospital. The MCH authorities declined to discharge the youth. The police said the ‘officer’ threatened to shoot the doctor. He allegedly said 200 armed soldiers were awaiting his order and they would be at the MCH if his demands were not met.

Soon, more men, some in combat fatigues, arrived at the MCH in four vehicles with Army markings. The police said two of the men were carrying assault rifles. They positioned themselves outside the casualty wing. The situation was defused by the MCH Aid Post policemen.