Patient dies of thirst as hospital sealed for Mayawati's visit

 The family members of the patient Ram Bilas alleged that he kept on shouting for water for two hours but no one cared. “My husband who sufferred from renal problem used to ask for water almost after every hour...on Friday also he kept on shouting for water but all were busy with Mayawati’s visit. No one cared to give him water”, a distraught Kallo Devi, wife of Ram Vilas said. She said her husband breathed his last soon after the inspection.

Kallo Devi, along with attendants of other patients were forced out of the ward by the hospital administration two hours before Mayawati’s scheduled arrival, she added. The hospital administration, however, denied the allegation. “The cause of death is yet to be ascertained”, they said.

Mayawati’s ongoing whirlwind tour to different parts of the State for an on the spot assessment of developmental works has left officers jittery and people angry. People have often been prevented from approaching the chief minister during her visits. A few days back a Dalit youth was arrested for having painted the village walls with people’s problems and demands so that if Mayawati happened to visit the village, she could see them and do the needful. At many places peoples’ anger against the officials accompanying the chief minister spilled on to the streets. At some places women blocked her cavalcade to pour out their woes. Officers now force people to stay indoors during Mayawati’s visit. Only trusted men and women are allowed to come out and greet the chief minister.