In an appalling and bizarre incident, three quacks from Bihar's Araria district carried out no less than 61 tubectomy surgeries within two hours without any decent medical arrangement. They were nabbed by the police.
On Saturday evening, the three youths, claiming to be associated with an NGO, lured women from the poverty-stricken village of Kaparfora into taking part in a “family planning” camp while promising them Rs. 600 and free medicines.
The youths got down to business by performing the surgeries at breakneck speed without the benefit of anaesthesia, making the women cry out in agony. According to some villagers, even the saline bottles used by them were remnants from past operations.
When the condition of several women deteriorated, the villagers rushed to the district police.
Araria Superintendent of Police Shivdeep Lande told The Hindu that the youths were immediately apprehended. “The youths hatched this scheme taking advantage of the area's widespread illiteracy and poverty,” he said. The affected women were rushed to the district hospital.
The patients got far less than the promised Rs. 600. They were also given medicines past their expiry dates, Mr. Lande added.
In raids carried out on Monday, the police discovered that the premises of NGO ‘Jai Ambe Welfare Society,' registered under a Purnea address, consisted of several stacks of forged stamp heads and forged medical certificates to be given to patients.
While two FIRs were lodged against the accused, including one by the Drug Inspector, the police have charged the Primary Healthcare Centre official in the village with complicity.
Informed sources said the NGO's promoters were on the run, apparently hiding in Patna.
