In Silchar on Wednesday afternoon, police halted a red‑light ambulance to make way for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy, causing a 30‑meter delay before the vehicle was cleared. The ambulance, carrying 42‑year‑old Rasaraj Chakraborty suffering from cirrhosis, arrived at Silchar Medical College and Hospital at 2 a.m. Thursday and succumbed to his condition later that night.
Family of the patient said the fatality was unrelated to the traffic hold, citing the chronic nature of his illness. An officer from the Silchar Police, speaking on condition, said the ambulance was stopped for security compliance, but the delay was unintentional.
The Chief Minister’s Office issued a directive to all district commissioners and senior superintendents of police, underscoring that under no circumstances should emergency vehicles be impeded during VIP convoys. The order also mandates that convoys be minimized and that emergency units receive clear passage routes.
State health officials note that any obstruction could jeopardise critical care, citing previous incidents where traffic snarls delayed emergency arrivals. The government plans to monitor compliance and will convene a joint committee of police, traffic and health ministries in mid‑November.
Rasaraj’s wife, Sunita, said she watched from the hospital corridor as the convoy passed, her eyes stinging, and she fears similar delays could cost others. She urges authorities to prioritize ambulances over protocol.
The ministry announced a review of convoy protocols scheduled for November 5, with a report due to the state assembly by early December.