BHANDARA: Having travelled 70km, Dharmendra Raut and his friend Nitesh Bharwe have been forced to wait further to deliver food to the former’s wife admitted to the District General Hospital. No time has been given to them as they endlessly wait outside the hospital gate around 12 noon. The duo had set off early morning from their village Dongri Mines to bring tiffin for Raut’s wife who underwent C-section on January 7.
The chief minister’s visit later in the day has brought in heavy security and all entry points sealed at the hospital. Uddhav Thackeray would be meeting the parents of babies who died in Sick New Born Unit on Saturday.
“We have been asked to wait till the CM leaves. This is first time we are facing this problem,” said Raut.
Similar is the ordeal of Bhupesh Shinde, a resident of Mahalgoan in Sakoli, which is 60km from here. Shinde has been trying to get in from different gates but each time is not allowed to enter. Shinde’s wife delivered on December 31. Stressed due to the cops’ ruthless snub to his appeals, Shinde quietly stands near the roadside curiously watching the media persons capture VIPs.
Deoram Meshram has been waiting since 10.30am.
But, Ram Prasad Khandar, who lives in the city, has double trouble. My wife is with my daughter, who was operated for some illness. “I have brought the food for both but can’t hand it over to them. They are not allowing her to come outside also,” Khandar said.
Even as TOI spotted several men and women waiting with tiffin in their hand outside, cops come charging to chase them further away from the gates. “They are using abusive language while VIPs and ministers are here. This doesn’t look good,” said a constable.
Yet, the crowd further swells and more relatives gather with undelivered food in their hands while their patients and care takers remain hungry. “We hope the CM winds up his visit soon,,” said one of them.