Amid bandh, pvt ambulances refuse to ferry patients

In a new twist to the prevailing unrest, drivers of private ambulances on Wednesday said they will not ferry patients from Darjeeling to Siliguri and vice-versa. They have complained of harassment on roads by the picketers who have been on a rampage during the indefinite strike.

Darjeeling town has a government hospital and three private nursing homes. Everyday numerous referral cases are being taken down to the plains for treatment. The ongoing indefinite bandh has cast a shadow on the emergency services, especially the ambulances.

The GJM has clamped an indefinite bandh in the Hills since June 15. Though the emergency services were exempted from the bandh, there are allegations of harassment by the picketers.

"We are being harassed by the picketers at Sonada and Kurseong enroute Siliguri. Checkings are on and ambulances are being stopped. We are in favour of Gorkhaland but this is an emergency service. Owing to the harassment, we have decided not to ply ambulances from Thursday till the bandh is lifted," said Yogen Rai, an ambulance driver.

"We have been providing security all along the route. We have also tried to sensitise the protestors that since this is an emergency service, ambulances should not be stopped. We hope that good sense prevails," stated Joyoshi Das Gupta, District Magistrate, Darjeeling. Meanwhile, the GJM leaders could not be contacted for comments.

With the indefinite bandh, supply of medicines to the Hills has also been badly affected.

"The stock of medicines especially for hypertension and diabetes is fast dwindling," stated a medical store owner.