TURA, May 16 - Six people, including four returnees from Chennai, who were injured in an accident near Dudhnoi in Goalpara district of Assam this morning, were allegedly denied 108 ambulance service over protocol issues, in North Garo Hills district.
A driver, handyman and four returnees from Chennai had suffered minor injuries in the accident. Sources said that the accident was reported to the team stationed at Berubari in Bajengdoba to receive the returnees. A magistrate on duty had alerted ambulance personnel at the check point to assist those injured and take them to Tura. However, the 108 ambulance personnel refused to move, stating that according to protocol a call needed to be made through the helpline number.
�An ambulance from Dudhnoi, Assam, attended to the injured and they were then rushed to Tura,� said North Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma.
The refusal of the 108 service to help the injured despite intimation of the matter, has been criticised by some people who have questioned the attitude of the employees on duty.
�Humanity comes first and they should have acted as the first responders in such a case. It is surprising that they chose to follow protocol despite a magistrate asking them to act in the matter,� said an officer on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, inclement weather and bad road condition caused another accident involving a bus on the NH-51 near Asuragre village in West Garo Hills this morning.
�There were no major injuries. The bus was moving towards the ISBT with returnees from Chennai. Those with minor injuries were given medical care. Cranes were pressed into service to retrieve the bus that skidded off the road,� said West Garo Hills SP Dr MGR Kumar.
TURA, May 16 - Six people, including four returnees from Chennai, who were injured in an accident near Dudhnoi in Goalpara district of Assam this morning, were allegedly denied 108 ambulance service over protocol issues, in North Garo Hills district.
A driver, handyman and four returnees from Chennai had suffered minor injuries in the accident. Sources said that the accident was reported to the team stationed at Berubari in Bajengdoba to receive the returnees. A magistrate on duty had alerted ambulance personnel at the check point to assist those injured and take them to Tura. However, the 108 ambulance personnel refused to move, stating that according to protocol a call needed to be made through the helpline number.
�An ambulance from Dudhnoi, Assam, attended to the injured and they were then rushed to Tura,� said North Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma.
The refusal of the 108 service to help the injured despite intimation of the matter, has been criticised by some people who have questioned the attitude of the employees on duty.
�Humanity comes first and they should have acted as the first responders in such a case. It is surprising that they chose to follow protocol despite a magistrate asking them to act in the matter,� said an officer on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, inclement weather and bad road condition caused another accident involving a bus on the NH-51 near Asuragre village in West Garo Hills this morning.
�There were no major injuries. The bus was moving towards the ISBT with returnees from Chennai. Those with minor injuries were given medical care. Cranes were pressed into service to retrieve the bus that skidded off the road,� said West Garo Hills SP Dr MGR Kumar.
