Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Family members of the youth from Kujang, who had attempted suicide outside Odisha Assembly and later died during treatment at Cuttack SCB on Wednesday, are in a state of utter shock.

The acquaintances and co-villagers of the deceased identified as Dusmanta Das, expressed their bitterness as his mortal remains was not taken back to his native village and the last rites were performed at Swargadwar in Puri in a hasty manner. 

The body was cremated after the completion of the post-mortem at SCB Medical in Cuttack in presence of a Magistrate and family members around midnight.

Meanwhile, Kujang block development officer Amiya Panda met Dusmanta’s wife at her residence in Badapala village and provided them a cheque of Rs 1,00,000 as financial assistance.

“The govt has assured to release an ex-gratia of Rs 10,00,000 and a job for my daughter. Had they allowed us treatment under BKKY earlier, my son-in-law would not have died,” said Maguni Parida, father-in-law of the deceased.

Odisha Assembly also witnessed a ruckus over the tragic incident as several Opposition members stormed the well of the house by shouting slogans against the government. They demanded a probe into the incident.

On the other hand, the authorities of SCB Hospital in Cuttack, from where Dusmanta alleged that he was returned back without proper treatment before he tried to end his life outside the State Assembly, refuted the charges of any medical negligence.

“Dusmanta had come to the hospital after suffering critical injuries in a road traffic accident. It would have a lot of time for his recovery but a team of doctors from plastic surgery and orthopaedic department managed to save his life and also his leg. Allegations of faulty surgery are all false and baseless. In fact, the SCB Medical College provided the best of the best treatment to him free of cost. When he expressed his impatience and sought a referral to another hospital, we discharged him and referred him to AIIMS Bhubaneswar," emergency officer of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Bhubanananda Maharana said in his reaction. 

As far allegations are concerned, the Superintendent of the SCB Hospital will set up a team for investigation into the accusations, said Maharana.

On hasty autopsy of Dusmanta's body, Maharana clarified that it was decision of the Cuttack district administration so it would be appropriate if they clear the doubts.  

It may be noted that Dusmanta was again referred to SCB on Wednesday after a case of poisoning due to pesticide which he consumed during his show of protest outside the Assembly. Despite all efforts by doctors, he passed away. 

According to sources, before being shifted to Capital hospital, Das had told reporters that he had met with an accident on March 22, 2020 and sustained grievous injuries on his left leg. Later, he was admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for treatment.

He had undergone a surgery on March 23, 2020 and another on June 19, 2020. However, the doctors allegedly discharged him from the hospital on July 15, 2020 owing to Covid-19 situation.

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)
 

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