Mob vandalises Bihar hospital, sets ambulance ablaze after treatment dispute turns violent

Aurangabad: In a shocking incident, an ambulance was set on fire, and a private hospital in Bihar's Aurangabad district was vandalised after a dispute over the treatment of a patient escalated into violence on Thursday. The incident led to a major law-and-order situation, with an angry mob also blocking a main road for nearly five hours.

According to reports, the dispute reportedly began on Tuesday night after a disagreement arose over the treatment of a female patient suffering from severe anaemia. The hospital had advised shifting the patient to another facility, but a relative of another patient objected, saying he would arrange blood for her instead.

The disagreement between the doctor and the patient's relative subsequently turned into a physical altercation.

During the dispute, a 45-year-old man from Charkupa village was allegedly assaulted and sustained serious injuries. He was subsequently shifted to Patna for further treatment. His condition reportedly deteriorated on Thursday, and he went into a coma. News of his deteriorating condition reached nearby villages, triggering anger among his relatives and local residents.

Tension escalated further after rumours circulated that the injured man had died. A large crowd gathered outside the private hospital and allegedly damaged the clinic premises. An ambulance was set on fire, while furniture and other items inside the facility were vandalised. The protesters also blocked the RafiGanj-Gaya main road, disrupting traffic for around five hours, Dainik Bhaskar reported.

Fire brigade personnel who arrived to control the blaze reportedly faced opposition from the mob, forcing them to deal with the situation amid heightened tension. Senior police and administrative officials, along with additional security personnel, reached the spot and attempted to pacify the protesters.

The road blockade was eventually lifted after several rounds of discussions between the administration and local representatives. Police said the doctor and the compounder had been taken into custody and that an investigation into the incident was underway.

Authorities have maintained a watch in the area to prevent further unrest. The incident has raised concerns over the escalation of disputes inside healthcare facilities and the safety of medical staff, patients and hospital property during such confrontations.