(Pics) Chhattisgarh: Congress calls state-wide bandh over sterilization deaths

Bilaspur, Nov 12: Post the sterilization deaths in Bilaspur on Nov 11, Wednesday, the Congress has called for a state-wide bandh today, demanding the resignation of chief minister Raman Singh and health minister Amar Agarwal.

[See also: Chhattisgarh: 11 women die, 34 in critical state after undergoing surgery in govt camp ]

11 women had died and 72 others were admitted to the hospital after they were injected medicines in a free family planning camp. These camps are held between October and February as part of a larger programme to control India's billion-plus population.

The state provides Rs 1,400 to each woman who undergoes it. Admitting to negligence in this case, chief minister Raman Singh suspended four officials, including Dr RK Gupta, under whose supervisions the surgeries were taking place. A First Information Report was also filed against him.

Meanwhile, a four-member medical team from Delhi is on its way to Bilaspur after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Raman Singh yesterday. The UN, too, has expressed concern over the deaths. Chief Minister Raman Singh has increased the compensation for the family of the deceased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.

Showing concern over the incident were both the Prime Minister of India-Narendra Modi and the United Nations. Kate Gilmore, deputy executive director of the UN Population Fund said,"If the facts are confirmed, then a grave human tragedy has occurred. Where there is deviation from clinical standards, there must be consequences."

In a recent update from the Supreme Court, it has declined to entertain petition seeking SC intervention in case of medical negligence deaths during sterilisation camp in Bilaspur.

Narendra Modi too has demanded probe and thorough investigation into the matter. Inside sources reveal that deaths may have been caused due to Septic shocks, which is triggered by infected surgical equipment. Few also blame, the excessive pressure on the medical team, which is sometimes pushed to do more than 40 surgeries together.

Women who underwent sterilization surgeries

Women who underwent sterilization surgeries receive treatment at the CIMS hospital in Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Women who underwent sterilization surgeries receive treatment

Women who underwent sterilization surgeries receive treatment at the CIMS hospital in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Relatives mourn death of women

Relatives mourn death of women who died after underwent sterilization surgeries, at Dhruv Ameri village in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh meets a woman

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh meets a woman who underwent sterilization surgeries receive treatment at the CIMS hospital in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Villagers protesting at out side the state health minister's residence

Villagers protesting at out side the state health minister's residence against death of women who underwent sterilization surgeries in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Congress workers and villagers protesting

Congress workers and villagers protesting at out side the state health minister's residence against death of women who underwent sterilization surgeries, in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh meets patients and relatives

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh meets patients and relatives after a botched sterilization operation at a government camp left eight women dead and 30 others critical in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

OneIndia News