Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Death of labourer sparks violence at Malda's Ratua Rural Hospital
A man named Md Sakim went to work on Sunday and touched a very powerful electric wire, which gave him a terrible shock.
He was rushed to Ratua Rural Hospital, but the doctors there said he had died before he arrived.
His family said he was still alive and that the doctors did not try hard enough to save him.
The argument made people very upset, and a crowd began breaking things at the hospital.
They also hurt a doctor, three nurses, and two other workers.
The police came to stop the trouble and took two people away.
The man's body was sent for a special medical examination called a post-mortem.
For a while, the hospital could not help other sick people because of the violence.
Police are now investigating what happened.
Md Sakim, a 55-year-old labourer, was electrocuted by an 11,000-volt power line while loading maize at Jakirnagar on Sunday.
He was declared brought dead at Ratua Rural Hospital, but his family alleged he was alive and not given adequate treatment.
A mob allegedly vandalised hospital property and assaulted a doctor, three nurses and two Group-D employees.
Protesters also scuffled with police and tried to stop the body from being sent for post-mortem.
Two persons were detained and additional police deployed; a case has been registered and healthcare services were disrupted.
- Who
- Md Sakim, a 55-year-old labourer from Kaylapathar village; injured staff included doctor Minhajul Reza, nurses Benzir Yeasmin, Anu Bhagat and Jasmira Khatun, and Group-D employees Goutam Mandal and Sraboni Mandal.
- What
- A mob allegedly vandalised Ratua Rural Hospital and assaulted medical staff after Sakim was declared brought dead; two persons were detained and a case was registered.
- When
- Sunday afternoon; Sakim was electrocuted around 10.30am the same day.
- Where
- Ratua Rural Hospital in Malda; Sakim was electrocuted at Jakirnagar and lived in Kaylapathar village.
- Why
- Sakim's family alleged he was alive on arrival and not given adequate treatment, sparking the protest and violence against hospital staff.
Victim's Family
Hospital Authorities & Police
Victim's condition on arrival
Victim's Family
Family members allege Sakim was alive when he was brought to the hospital.
Hospital Authorities & Police
Doctors on duty declared Sakim brought dead on arrival.
Adequacy of treatment
Victim's Family
Family alleges medical staff declared him dead without providing adequate treatment.
Hospital Authorities & Police
Hospital staff stated he was brought dead, and authorities have registered a case and begun an investigation into the incident.
Handling of the grievance
Victim's Family
Grieving relatives protested at the hospital over the alleged negligence and initially tried to prevent the body from being taken for post-mortem.
Hospital Authorities & Police
Police and hospital officials treated the vandalism and assaults as crimes, deployed extra personnel, detained two people and registered a case.
- Victim
- Md Sakim, 55-year-old labourer from Kaylapathar village
- Cause of death
- Electrocution from an 11,000-volt overhead power line while loading maize at Jakirnagar
- Hospital
- Ratua Rural Hospital, Malda
- Injured staff
- 6 (1 doctor, 3 nurses, 2 Group-D employees)
- Family allegation
- Sakim was alive on arrival; declared dead without adequate treatment
- Police action
- 2 detained; case registered; body sent for post-mortem
- Impact
- Healthcare services disrupted; additional police personnel deployed