Malda, Sept. 9: More than 200 people ransacked a private nursing home in town tonight after it allegedly refused to admit a patient who had developed complications following a gall bladder operation at the facility three weeks ago.

Samiran Kundu of Banshbari, who was bleeding from the mouth, had to be taken to Malda Sadar Hospital. “Dr Majhi, who was on duty, said the patient’s oesophagus had been severed,” claimed his wife, Purnima.

The revelation prompted the relatives and neighbours of Kundu to descend on Disha Health Point at Makdumpur around 8.30pm and break its windowpanes and furniture.

Although the spot is a stone’s throw from the Englishbazar police station, a large force took an hour to arrive. The police used their batons to disperse the crowd.

A source at Malda Sadar Hospital said Samiran’s blood pressure was falling. “His condition is critical,” he said.

According to relatives of Samiran, who is in his early thirties, the owner of Disha Health Point, Dr Manabesh Pramanik, had operated on him around three weeks ago. “The doctor said the surgery was successful and after five-six days, my husband was released,” said Purnima.

Around 10 days after the operation, however, Samiran started bleeding from the mouth and was taken back to the nursing home. “They kept him under observation before releasing him again, saying he was cured,” said Purnima.

When the problem recurred though and they returned to the nursing home today, Samiran was refused admission. The on-duty employees also allegedly behaved badly with the relatives. “We have already paid Rs 42,000 for his treatment and this is how they treat us,” said Purnima.

Dr Pramanik maintained that the surgery was successful. “What the patient did afterwards at home is not known to us,” he said.