Violent Attack in Emergency Department
Chittoor: In a disturbing incident of violence against medical professionals, three on-duty doctors were allegedly assaulted by an intoxicated mob at the emergency department of Chittoor Government District Headquarters Hospital around midnight on Friday. A junior resident doctor sustained a nasal bone fracture after being punched from behind. CCTV footage of the attack has gone viral on social media.
Viral CCTV Footage Captures Chaos
Three separate videos are circulating online: one shows the mob gathering outside the emergency department, the second captures a man punching a doctor, and the third shows the group running amok inside the hospital premises.
Trigger of the Assault
According to The Hindu, the incident began when a man with a hand injury arrived at the emergency department with several others. The group alleged that doctors were delaying treatment. In the ensuing altercation, one youth attacked the three doctors, verbally abused, and intimidated them. The injured patient also allegedly struck a junior doctor, causing serious injuries, after which the mob assaulted all three doctors.
Police Response and Investigation
Police were alerted and arrived to control the situation, but the accused had fled. Following the attack, the injured doctor filed a complaint. One individual has been arrested, and a search is ongoing for the others.
Medical Community Demands Action
The incident has triggered outrage among healthcare professionals, who demand strict action. Doctors emphasised that repeated assaults instil fear among medical workers and compromise patient care. A doctor sharing the videos online wrote, “#StopViolenceAgainstDoctors. Another assault on doctors. How many more before it stops?”
Health Minister Condemns Assault
Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav strongly condemned the attack on X, stating, “If there are mistakes or shortcomings, complaints should be lodged with higher authorities, but physical assaults that undermine the morale of medical staff are unacceptable. Legal action will be taken against those involved.”
