Security of the Shillong Civil Hospital was compromised as masked miscreants, armed with sticks entered the premises and even managed to attack a policeman inside.
The incident occurred yesterday evening after the candle-light vigil called by pressure groups to mourn victims of the Mukroh firing incident, ended.
CCTV footage available with Highland Post showed assailants entering the premises, chased and attacked a policeman holding a mobile phone inside one of the corridors even as attendants were seen shutting themselves inside a ward, while some were left puzzled on what was going on. A woman who dropped her shawl was visibly in fear as she was taken away by the shoulder by one the miscreants.
Another citizen’s video also recorded how the miscreants rushed in and sounds of breaking things inside the hospital were heard.
Sources said the policeman who was attacked is said to have brought an undertrial prisoner for medical attention. Before that, the police gypsy parked outside was also attacked and an attempt was also made to burn it down.
Sources also said there were five magistrates present in the hospital when the incident occurred.
This is the first massive breach of hospital safety in Meghalaya, which caused fear among people, patients and staff. Fears were also expressed by citizens that security of the oxygen generation plant near the entrance could have caused havoc, when petrol bombs have become favourite weapon of miscreants.
Till filing of this report no FIR has been lodged on the attack.
Even during armed conflicts attacks on schools and hospitals is one of the six grave violations identified and condemned by the UN Security Council. Under International Humanitarian Law, both schools and hospitals are protected and attacks on hospitals leading to destruction and appropriation of property is considered a grave breach or a war crime that could lead to individual criminal responsibility under international law.
