M A I N   N E W S

Businessman shot, doctor manhandled
From Satish Seth

KAITHAL, April 21 — Ramesh Miglani (55), a local businessman, was shot dead today near his shop opposite the main post office by three motor cycle-borne youths. In the ensuing incidents a doctor of the local Civil Hospital was manhandled and the furniture overturned in the emergency ward by a crowd which was protesting against the incident. The town observed a partial bandh following the incident.

The SP, Mr Priya Ranjan Deo, told mediapersons that according to the preliminary investigation, the incident occurred at 9.15 a.m. when the victim came to open his shop. Three youths, in the age group of 23-24 years, who were waiting for the victim, fired at him from point-blank range. Two bullets hit the victim’s head and he fell down bleeding profusely. The assailants fled on a black Yamaha motor cycle.

The victim succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital and this agitated the people gathered in front of the hospital to protest against the killing. Some of them reportedly manhandled Dr R.P. Goyal, who was on duty, and overturned the furniture in the emergency ward.

Some relatives of the victim said the victim was not provided timely medical aid, otherwise he could have been saved. They said when the victim was brought to the hospital no doctor was available. Then they took him to a private nursing home where the doctor concerned was in the operation theatre. They went to another private nursing home but the doctor referred them to the Civil Hospital.

In the meantime the victim died. He was a close relative of former minister Surender Madan.

However, Dr N.K. Dhawan, officiating CMO, Dr R.P. Goyal and the nursing staff on duty said the victim was brought dead to the hospital. They all denied that the victim was brought twice to the hospital. Dr Goyal said though he was manhandled even then he examined the victim lying in a four wheeler in front of the hospital.

Dr Dhawan maintained that he constituted a panel of three doctors for the post-mortem examination.

The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mahavir Singh, the SP and the SDM, Mr Narender Singh pacified the agitated crowd which was demanding action against the erring hospital staff for negligence of duty. The Deputy Commissioner said the SDM, Mr Narender Singh, would hold an inquiry against the functioning of the hospital and would cross-check allegation against doctors and other staff. Suitable action would follow if anybody was found guilty he added.

Meanwhile, the Janta Market, Chhoti Mandi, Krishna Cloth Market, Bhagat Singh Chowk, Railway road, Gugga marhi, old anaj mandi and shops on Malgodam road remained closed in protest against the killing. The Deputy Commissioner and the SP visited the site of killing. Various political parties have condemned the killing.