Several patients and their families fell victim to theft at the Dhalai District Hospital on August 3 at midnight. The brazen act saw thieves make off with mobile phones and cash worth thousands of rupees from both the children’s ward and the general ward.
According to eyewitness accounts, the theft took place in the night. “I woke up suddenly and saw someone rummaging through bags near the patients’ beds,” said a mother, whose child is currently admitted to the children’s ward. “By the time I could raise an alarm, they had disappeared.”
The thieves managed to steal multiple mobile phones and around Rs 21,000 in cash. Surprisingly, no security personnel were present during or immediately after the incident, leaving patients and their families feeling vulnerable and outraged.
“We come to the hospital seeking care, not to be robbed,” said Rahul Chakraborty, whose mother’s phone was among those stolen. “Where were the security guards when this was happening?”
When contacted, Dr. Bidhan Bhowmik, Medical Superintendent of Dhalai District Hospital, acknowledged the incident. “We have been informed about the theft and are taking it very seriously,” he stated. “We will be reviewing CCTV footage as part of our investigation.