Northeast assault victim battles for life, family runs out of money

Khuadun Kungham, a youth from Arunachal Pradesh, who was assaulted at Koramangala earlier this month, is battling for life in a hospital.

However, even as doctors have asked the victim’s family to fly him back home, they have not been able to do so for want of money.

Kungham, a native of Ozakho village in Longding district, was working as a waiter at a pub in Koramangala. He has been in a semi-coma state at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) after he was assaulted on January 6.

Philip, the victim’s friend who is currently aiding him, said that they are under tremendous financial pressure because doctors have asked them to discharge Khuadun as soon as possible because his treatment is complete.

"We not have the necessary funds to treat him in another hospital. All possibilities are closed to us,” Philip said. “We have also spoken to some commercial airlines to take him back home at concessional rates so that he could be treated back home. But they are asking us to pay in lakhs," he added.

The family claims that airlines are quoting close to Rs 2 lakh to take him back home. With no evidence, there has been no progress in the case, keeping the family waiting. “We are looking at public funding and support from NGOs to have his hospital stay extended,” said Philip.

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities said that they would be unable to keep him for long. “We will keep him for some days because he is a special case. They can nurse him in another hospital," said Dr V Badrinarayan, medical superintendent, Nimhans.

Kungham was found lying unconscious with grievous injuries following which a complaint was lodged with the Koramangala police. They are examining whether this was an accident or intentional assault.