Rival ambulance driver groups clash at Nagpur's Mayo Hospital, windows of about 10 ambulances smashed

Two groups of private ambulance operators clashed on the premises of Mayo Hospital in Nagpur. The quarrel is alleged to be over permission to operate ambulances inside the hospital and control over money. Attackers who arrived late at night with baseball bats, hockey sticks and iron rods smashed the windows of about 10 ambulances, spreading panic across the premises.

The trouble reportedly began when an ambulance driver was allegedly asked for Rs 3,000 in return for being allowed to operate his vehicle on the hospital premises. The money dispute soon turned into a clash between the two groups of ambulance operators. The night attack appears to have been meant to avenge a scuffle during the day.

Tehsil police have registered a case against three accused. Police have detained Soheb Firoz Khan, while Parvez Firoz Khan and Sonu alias Baba are absconding.

According to the complaint, complainant Sheikh Rehan Sheikh Noor, 20, lives in the Noori Masjid area of Yashodhara Nagar and is an ambulance driver. He alleges that he had a dispute over operating ambulances at Mayo Hospital with Parvez Firoz Khan, Sonu alias Baba and Soheb Firoz Khan.

The three are alleged to have demanded Rs 3,000 from him in return for allowing him to operate an ambulance on the hospital premises. Other ambulance drivers present objected to the demand, leading to an argument and rising tension between the two groups.

It is said that the matter turned violent the same night. To avenge the scuffle during the day, the accused allegedly returned with baseball bats, hockey sticks and iron rods. They are alleged to have targeted about 10 ambulances parked on the premises, smashing their windows and causing considerable damage. After the vandalism the attackers fled, leaving behind broken vehicles and an atmosphere of fear.

Police have reportedly learnt that all three accused have prior criminal records. Soheb is in custody, while efforts are on to trace the absconding Parvez and Sonu. Investigators are examining the entire sequence of events, the alleged extortion demand and the circumstances of the rivalry among ambulance operators. They are also looking into whether anyone else had a role.

The incident has raised questions about the safety of patients, their attendants and hospital staff, especially when violence between private operators breaks out inside a large government hospital. Mayo receives a large number of patients from Nagpur and other parts of Vidarbha, as well as from neighbouring states. Many patients are in distress and depend on hospital staff and available vehicles for directions.

There have been earlier allegations that some private ambulance operators and middlemen approach patients and their relatives and persuade them to go to private hospitals. It is suspected that the race to get patients and control over the ambulance business may also be behind the rivalry between the groups. If these allegations are proved, the matter will not remain a personal quarrel between two drivers.

The hospital administration and police now face questions over how armed men entered the premises, whether there is any effective system to keep watch on private ambulances, and who monitors middlemen who loiter around the hospital without permission.