A tragic incident in India’s Assam state has sparked widespread debate over VIP convoy protocols after an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient was stopped to allow Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy to pass through Silchar.
The patient, identified as 42-year-old Rasaraj Chakraborty from Sribhumi district, was being transported to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for specialised treatment after his condition reportedly deteriorated because of a serious liver ailment.
Ambulance stopped for VIP convoy
According to reports, the ambulance was halted at the Ramnagar ISBT point in Silchar as police officers managing traffic cleared the road for Sarma’s convoy.
Footage showing the ambulance waiting as the convoy passed later circulated on social media, triggering anger and criticism from members of the public.
The incident became even more controversial after Chakraborty died while undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital early Thursday morning.
Four police personnel involved in the traffic arrangements were subsequently suspended following the uproar.
Family says patient was already in critical condition
Despite the public reaction, hospital officials and Chakraborty’s family clarified that they did not directly attribute his death to the ambulance stoppage.
Silchar Medical College and Hospital principal Abhijit Swami said Chakraborty was suffering from liver cirrhosis and described his condition as chronic.
A member of the family reportedly said the ambulance was delayed and that the stoppage was frustrating, but maintained that Chakraborty had already been critically ill and that the delay was not responsible for his death.
The clarification has added another dimension to the controversy, with attention shifting toward whether emergency vehicles should ever be held up for VIP movements, regardless of the patient’s eventual medical outcome.
Chief minister apologises
Sarma apologised after learning that the ambulance had been stopped for his convoy, describing the incident as unacceptable.
He said no chief minister’s movement should take precedence over someone requiring urgent medical attention and ordered officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The chief minister later maintained that the patient’s death was not connected to the ambulance stoppage, saying Chakraborty had been suffering from a serious liver condition.
Sarma also said he did not favour travelling in convoys but claimed such arrangements were made by district officials and police.
He nevertheless stressed that ambulances and members of the public should not be stopped for VIP movements.
Assam introduces fresh convoy rules
Following the controversy, the Assam government issued fresh instructions to district commissioners and senior police officers.
The directive states that ambulances and other emergency vehicles must not be obstructed because of VIP convoy arrangements.
It further provides that the chief minister’s convoy can be stopped when necessary to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Authorities also moved to restrict the size of the chief minister’s convoy to the minimum number of vehicles required for security and essential operations.
Officials, ministers and other dignitaries attending the same events were also directed not to unnecessarily join the chief minister’s main convoy.
The incident has since renewed debate in India about VIP culture, traffic management and the importance of giving emergency vehicles priority on public roads.
While Chakraborty’s death has not been officially linked to the brief traffic stoppage, the incident has prompted authorities to reinforce the principle that ambulances should have unhindered passage, even when senior government officials are travelling.
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