The indefinite hunger strike by Ramshiromani Mishra, father of Rewa woman Kalpana Mishra who died along with her newborn at Gandhi Memorial Hospital, entered its fifth day on Sunday. The family continues to demand an FIR against those they hold responsible and a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Mishra is sitting on a protest at Sirmour Chauraha in Rewa. Supporters of the family have appealed to people across the district to reach the protest site and extend support to the campaign seeking justice for Kalpana and her child.

The case has already led to departmental action against four healthcare workers, the removal of the hospital superintendent and multiple inquiries. However, the family says these measures are insufficient and is insisting on criminal proceedings.

Father refuses to end hunger strike

Ramshiromani Mishra has maintained that suspension alone cannot provide justice to his daughter and newborn grandson. His primary demand is that an FIR be registered against those found responsible, followed by an impartial investigation and legal action.

The continuing protest has also attracted support from political and social organisations.

Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla has previously met the family and assured them that the matter would be investigated and action taken if wrongdoing is established.

Despite that assurance and the administrative measures already taken, Kalpana’s father has continued his hunger strike.

Four healthcare workers suspended

Following the deaths, authorities took preliminary disciplinary action against two nursing officers and two doctorsassociated with the case.

The suspended doctors include Dr Sonal Agrawal, who was on duty in the obstetrics and gynaecology department, and Dr Nidhi Pandey from anaesthesia. The two nursing officers were also suspended following the initial allegations and inquiry.

The state government has said further action will depend on the findings of the investigation. (Web India News)

Importantly, the suspensions are administrative action and do not by themselves establish criminal liability.

Hospital superintendent removed

Another significant development was the removal of Dr Rahul Mishra from the post of superintendent of Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

The action followed controversy over a video of his interaction with Kalpana’s family after her death. The government subsequently transferred the hospital’s superintendence to Dr Priyank Sharma. 

Dr Rahul Mishra had denied allegations of medical negligence and maintained that Kalpana had been treated according to medical protocols. The circumstances surrounding her death remain subject to investigation. 

Inquiry examining treatment and circumstances

The government has constituted an inquiry into the deaths to determine what happened from Kalpana’s admission through her treatment and delivery.

A five-member committee was earlier constituted to examine the circumstances surrounding the death. Separately, the Rewa administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry, with the Sirmour SDM assigned to examine the case and submit findings. 

The investigation is expected to examine whether prescribed medical protocols were followed and whether any lapse contributed to the deaths.

The family also sought post-mortem examinations. The available reports indicate that the exact cause of death has not yet been conclusively established.

Video intensified public anger

The controversy escalated after a video surfaced showing Kalpana in distress shortly before her death, pleading with her family and expressing fear about continuing treatment.

The footage triggered widespread concern and protests, with the family alleging serious lapses in treatment. Hospital authorities, however, have maintained that the allegations must be examined through the inquiry process. 

The video has become an important part of the public debate, but it does not by itself establish the medical cause of death or criminal responsibility.

FIR demand remains central to protest

With the hunger strike entering its fifth day, the family’s demand has shifted the focus from departmental action to criminal accountability.

The government has already taken several administrative measures, including suspensions, a change in hospital leadership and inquiries. The next major development will depend on the findings of those investigations.

Until those findings are available, allegations of negligence should remain attributed to the family and protesters rather than presented as an established fact. The family, meanwhile, has appealed for greater public participation at the Sirmour Chauraha protest as it continues its demand for an FIR and legal action.

Two Motorcycles Collide Head-On in Rewa’s Patehra Village, 6 Injured

Six people sustained injuries, five of them critically, after two motorcycles crashed into each other late on Thursday night in Patehra village under Janah police station area of Rewa district. Three victims have been referred to Prayagraj for advanced treatment.

Patehra Village Shock

A quiet rural stretch in Rewa district turned into a scene of chaos late Thursday night when two motorcycles slammed into each other head-on near Patehra village. The impact was so severe that all six riders were thrown onto the road, leaving five in serious condition.

According to initial reports, one group of riders was heading out to distribute invitation cards for a local event. The second motorcycle was coming from the opposite direction. Police suspect high speed and poor visibility in the late hours may have contributed to the crash.

Injured Rushed to Hospital

Local villagers rushed to the spot after hearing the loud collision. With help from residents, the injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. After preliminary treatment, doctors assessed five of them as critical.

Two were admitted in Rewa while three were referred to a higher medical facility in Prayagraj for specialized care. Their condition remains a cause of concern, said hospital sources.

Police Confirmation

Janah police station in-charge Kanhaiya Singh Baghel confirmed the incident. “Two motorcycles collided head-on near Patehra village late Thursday night. All six persons riding the bikes were injured and taken to hospital. Five of them are serious and have been referred to Rewa and Prayagraj,” he said.

A case has been registered and further investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and sequence of events. Police are also examining whether any traffic violations or mechanical issues played a role.

Frequent Road Mishaps in Region

Rewa district has witnessed several road accidents in recent months, many involving two-wheelers on rural stretches and highways. Narrow roads, speeding, and night travel without adequate lighting often turn minor lapses into major tragedies.

This latest collision has once again highlighted the risks on village roads where emergency response can sometimes get delayed due to limited infrastructure. Locals pointed out that better street lighting and stricter enforcement of speed limits could help prevent such incidents.

Community Response and Concern

The accident caused a stir in the village as crowds gathered at the spot. Many expressed worry over young riders frequently using these roads at high speed, especially during evening hours when visibility drops.

Families of the injured are waiting anxiously for updates from the hospitals. The referral of three victims to Prayagraj indicates the severity of injuries, including possible fractures and internal trauma.

Safety Concerns Remain

Road safety continues to be a pressing issue in Madhya Pradesh’s Vindhya region. Officials often stress the need for helmets, responsible riding, and caution while overtaking, yet such accidents keep occurring.

Police have appealed to residents to follow traffic rules strictly and avoid unnecessary risks, particularly at night. They also urged people to report rash driving in the area.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities are likely to examine both vehicles for any technical faults and speak to witnesses for a clearer picture of how the collision unfolded. The outcome of the probe may lead to additional recommendations for improving safety on this stretch.

Rewa Super Speciality Hospital Runs Out of X-Ray Films; Patients Forced to Receive Reports on Mobile, Rural Residents Most Affected

Chaos has gripped the largest government healthcare facility in Rewa district, the Super Speciality Hospital, due to a critical shortage of X-ray films. The hospital has completely run out of the films used for X-ray examinations, forcing the management to send digital reports to patients' mobile phones instead of providing traditional hard copies. This makeshift arrangement has significantly increased the hardship for patients and their families.

Hundreds of patients visit the hospital daily for X-ray scans. However, due to the unavailability of films, they are unable to obtain physical copies of their reports. The hospital administration is now sending reports via WhatsApp or other digital means to the mobile numbers provided by patients. This system has created a new set of challenges, especially for those who do not own smartphones or find it difficult to understand digital reports.

Patients from rural areas are facing the most difficulty. Many do not have access to smartphones, and even those who do struggle to share the digital files with doctors or other healthcare providers. Doctors are also facing problems as certain medical conditions are best diagnosed by examining the original X-ray film. Additionally, patients are being forced to incur extra expenses by getting printouts from private shops outside the hospital.

Patients have expressed anger over the situation, calling it a major lapse in hospital management. They point out that long queues and limited resources are already a norm at the hospital, and the shortage of X-ray films only adds to their suffering. Several relatives accused the administration of negligence, stating that the stock should have been replenished well in time.

Administration’s Response:

Addressing the issue, hospital management stated that a new consignment of X-ray films has been ordered and will arrive shortly. Officials claimed that digital reporting is a modern system that provides instant reports to patients, but admitted that the current situation is a forced measure due to the film shortage.

Such lapses in essential healthcare services are eroding public trust. It remains to be seen how quickly the administration resolves the issue and provides much-needed relief to the patients.