Outrage as Patient dies after police stopped ambulance for minster’s convoy

Rasuraj Chakraborty, a critically ill patient in India, has lost his life after the police stopped an ambulance conveying him to allow Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy to pass.

Chakraborty was being transported in a 108 ambulance that was stopped at the Ramnagar ISBT point in Silchar, India.

He was confirmed dead at Silchar Medical College and Hospital on October 1, 2026.

Chakraborty, who was a resident of Bangar in Sribhumi district, was suffering from a liver-related ailment.

He was brought from Sribhumi to Silchar Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday for advanced treatment after his condition reportedly became critical.

According to reports, the ambulance was stopped by police managing traffic at the Ramnagar ISBT point to facilitate the passage of the Chief Minister’s convoy.

Footage of the incident shared on social media triggered widespread public outrage across Assam.

Four police personnel linked to the incident have been suspended.

However, Sarma on Thursday said stopping the ambulance to let his convoy pass is not related to the patient’s death, and asserted that no inconvenience should be caused to people due to his or any minister’s movement.

He said, “The patient was suffering from a critical liver ailment and his death is not related to the brief halt of the ambulance for a few seconds.”

He said no inconvenience should be caused to people due to his or any minister’s movement.

Sarma claimed that he does not like travelling in a convoy, but the deputy commissioners and police officers arrange it.

He, however, issued a public apology, saying that not only ambulances but all emergency services and even the general public should not be stopped for a convoy.

He said, “The chief minister is merely a chief servant and in the new Assam there is no place for VIP culture.”

Earlier Thursday, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a directive to all district commissioners and senior SPs to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the public due to his convoy movement.

The order stated that clear instructions had been earlier issued to all DCs and SSPs to ensure that ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles are not obstructed during the passage of VIP car convoys.

The order reads, “It is once again emphasised that under no circumstances should the movement of ambulances or other emergency vehicles be impeded on account of VIP motorcade arrangements.”(Daily trust)