Nerella Dalit victims forced out of NIMS?

Hyderabad: Six Dalits, who were subjected to third-degree torture allegedly by the police in Nerella for questioning the sand mafia, were discharged from NIMS on Thursday evening. But the Dalit victims accused the NIMS authorities of discharging them under pressure though they are yet to undergo further treatment.

Speaking to The Hans India, Harish, one of the victims, said, “We paid money for treatment. Suddenly at 4 pm doctors prepared the discharge sheet and sent us out. We requested them to wait till our parents came. But they forced us out. The local sub-inspector and police threatened us. The RMO complained to police that we were not willing to move out.” He said X-ray was taken and blood tests was conducted on Thursday.

The doctors reportedly told the patients that they were under pressure from the government to discharge them or else they would lose their jobs. “Even though we were ready to pay the money for further treatment, the doctors discharged us mercilessly,” Harish said. Since morning once in every hour the police came and took our videos and photographs, Harish said.

Banaiah Penta said the Karimnagar doctors advised him to undergo spine surgery and referred him to NIMS. On Wednesday, the doctors told him the Neuro Surgeon would visit and decide about the operation. But on Thursday, the Neuro Surgeon did not turn up, he regretted. The victims said, “We need treatment and we want to get admitted in the hospital.”

When contacted Dr Manohar, Director NIMS, however, denied the hospital had discharged the victims. “If they want treatment we are ready to admit them,” he said. The hospital authorities did not given reply why the victims registered their protest if the hospital did not discharge them.

Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao and other Congress leaders rushed to the hospital and demanded that the victims be readmitted and sat on protest along with the patients. This has led to some tense moments.