Ambulance Delay Allegedly Claims Life of Elderly Man in Koraput; Family Seeks Justice
Koraput, — A deeply troubling incident has emerged from Pipalpadar village under Laxmipur police limits, where an elderly man, Lalu Mandinga, lost his life following an alleged assault and a critical delay in ambulance response.
According to reports, Mandinga was suspected of stealing Rs 1,300 and was allegedly beaten by unidentified individuals. Locals later found him unconscious on the roadside and rushed him to the Laxmipur Community Health Centre using an auto-rickshaw.
Medical staff, recognising the severity of his condition, referred him to the district hospital. However, despite repeated calls for an ambulance, none arrived for hours. Mandinga succumbed to his injuries later that night.
His son, Jetu Mandinga, has filed a formal complaint at the Laxmipur police station, alleging both assault and medical negligence. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage across the region, highlighting persistent gaps in emergency healthcare access in remote areas of Odisha.
