Six health workers attacked, hospital vandalised in Kalikot

Violence erupted at Palata Hospital in the remote Kalikot district on Friday, resulting in the assault of six health workers, including a doctor. The disturbances began when hospital staff asked two children to stop playing video games on the premises, as it was disturbing patients.

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They assaulted the doctor and others in the afternoon. They came back at night and assaulted three more people. The hospital was attacked and vandalised over the afternoon dispute.

What started as a minor confrontation quickly escalated. During the afternoon incident, a doctor, a staff nurse, and a security guard sustained injuries. The situation worsened when the same group returned to the hospital later that night. They proceeded to vandalize the facility and physically assault three more staff members, according to hospital administrator Janmarishi Neupane.

Those injured in the afternoon assault were Dr. Ali Haider Rain, staff nurse Shanta Giri, and security guard Gajendra Bam. The night attack saw auxiliary nurse-midwife Usha Shahi, auxiliary health worker Bishnu Rokaya, and another security guard, Darn Damai, being targeted. Police maintained a presence at the hospital overnight following the second attack.

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A minor dispute escalated into assaults and vandalism. We are continuing the investigation.

Authorities have detained four individuals in connection with the assaults and vandalism. Deputy Superintendent of Police Him Bahadur Khatri identified the detainees as Maina Bam, her husband Sushil Kumar Bam, Tapendra Bam, and Maina’s 13-year-old son. The dispute appears to have roots in a disagreement with the former landlord of the hospital staff. Dr. Rain indicated that the landlord had been verbally abusing health workers after they moved into hospital-provided accommodation, leading to the violent confrontation.

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After that, the landlord began verbally abusing and humiliating the doctors and other health workers. They attacked us out of anger over the move.