Massive candle march protest rally in demand of proper health facilities rock the streets of Silchar

October 11: After every fatal incident which occurs at Silchar, the anger and grief of the people gives vent to popular movements in the form of strike, protest rally, demonstrations, candle light march and so and so forth. Each time such a democratic form of protest is made, the administration, politicians all come out and offer assurances, but the ill-fated people of Barak Valley hardly see the fulfillment of such rosy promise. On Friday once again, the streets of Silchar town was trodden by hundreds of protesters in demand of proper health facilities.

A massive candle light rally protesting the incompetent medical infrastructure at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) rocked the streets of Silchar town with protesters raising slogans and holding placards in support of their demand.

Infact, on 8 October, 2019, the day of Bijoya Dashami, a 25-year youth Sayantan Chakraborty complained of severe chest pain. He was immediately rushed to SMCH, where the doctors prescribed immediate angioplasty. However, as this facility was unavailable at SMCH, he was referred to Shillong NEIGRIHMS. However, Sayantan breathed his last on his way to Shillong.

Angioplasty is a procedure to restore blood flow through the artery, but Silchar Medical College & Hospital lacks this very important facility. Speaking to way2barak, Principal of SMCH expressed helplessness as he said that cardiologists does not want to come to Silchar. This statement was severely criticised by the people in social media. The grief and anger of the people of this valley in general and that of Sayantan’s friends resulted in today’s candle light protest rally.

The rally began from Capital Travel’s point, Silchar and went along the major portions of the town and came to an end at Narshingtola ground. Addressing newsmen, friends of Sayantan Chakraborty upholded the miserable plight of health facilities at SMCH. The Medical College observed its golden jubilee very recently, yet major departments like cardiology, urology, neurology etc. are almost non-existent. There is even no trauma centre over here. People even criticised the unimpressive role of the legislators of this valley who since the last 5 decades did almost nothing to improve SMCH.

Not only the friends of Sayantan Chakraborty, but many organisations, individuals both male and female, senior citizens, students participated in this rally. Speaking to way2barak, a college student raised a very pertinent issue. She asked, “How long can we afford to lose fresh lives due to the apathy of the politicians? Which one is more essential for Silchar- good neurologists at SMCH or Amusement Park & 5 star hotels? How long will we be taken for a ride? Are we the inhabitants of Barak Valley mere vote banks for the politicians? How many more lives will come to an end before our leaders wake up from their deep slumber?”