Date:20/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/20/stories/2007102062061200.htm

Karnataka

Two incidents mar Governor’s Janata Darshan in Bangalore

Special Correspondent

Puttalakshmamma did not get medical attention for almost half an hour
A youth, who drank insecticide, is recovering in hospital

BANGALORE: Two incidents marred the Janata Darshan programme held by Governor Rameshwar Thakur at the Banquet Hall of the Vidhana Soudha here on Friday.

A woman petitioner from Mandya collapsed after an asthma attack and died while being taken to hospital, and a young man attempted suicide by drinking insecticide. He was rushed to hospital and is recovering.

Timely medical help may have saved Puttalakshmamma (40), wife of Shivakempaiah, a head constable attached to the East Police Station in Mandya. Abandoned by her husband who used to allegedly harass her, she came to the Vidhana Soudha with her sister-in-law Parvathamma to ask the Governor for protection from her husband.

Two of them were waiting in a queue to submit a petition to the Governor. It was a busy morning for the officials as there were nearly 600 people waiting for the Governor.

Ms. Puttalakshmamma, an asthmatic, suddenly developed breathing problems and asked for medical help. A photojournalist alerted Syed Yusuf, special officer working in the Department of Janaspandana, about the plight of the woman. He in turn promised to inform his superiors. There was neither a doctor nor first aid equipment in the Banquet Hall or anywhere nearby.

Meanwhile, the Governor arrived and all attention turned towards him. Ms. Puttalakshmamma did not get any medical attention for almost half an hour and her condition deteriorated steadily.

A photojournalist and a reporter of a television channel carried her outside the hall where attempts were made to resuscitate her. An Assistant Commissioner of Police rushed to her help and arranged an autorickshaw to take her to a dispensary attached to the Vidhana Soudha. The dispensary did not have oxygen equipment. The duty doctor advised that she be shifted to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital.

According to the police, she died before reaching the hospital.

Ms. Parvathamma told The Hindu that her sister-in-law, who worked as a domestic help, was allegedly harassed by her husband and had been coming to Bangalore since March seeking protection from him.

She had approached the office of the Chief Minister for an appointment, but failed to meet the former Chief Minister. “As it was my brother who was torturing her, I just wanted to help her get some security.

Unfortunately I had to witness her death,” she said.