Assam: Protests erupt after pregnant woman's death over alleged medical negligence

A pregnant woman, Kamla Sharma, tragically died due to alleged medical negligence at Mayflower Hospital in Margherita, Assam, sparking widespread protests and tensions in the region.

Kamla, wife of Vijay Gautam from Jagun, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and gave birth to a son at 12 midnight under the supervision of Dr. Rajesh Gupta.

However, her health deteriorated the following day, prompting doctors to refer her to Dibrugarh, where she succumbed to her condition.

Local organizations, including the Chhatra Mukti Sangram Samiti (CMSS), along with the victim's family, have accused the hospital and Dr. Gupta of negligence.

Protesters blocked the Margherita highway by burning tyres, resulting in verbal altercations and minor scuffles with the police.

Maternal and newborn deaths have reportedly been frequent in Margherita, with similar incidents recently occurring at two other nursing homes.

The CMSS has demanded the immediate arrest of Dr. Rajesh Gupta and called for reforms to improve the standards at Mayflower Hospital. They have threatened to escalate protests if their demands are not met.