Dr. Bhagat Ram passes away

Issue No: 939; 13 July 2001

 
Dr. Bhagat Ram, the well known heart specialist and the only doctor who was allowed repeated visits to examine the elected government members who were held hostage in the Parliament Complex by the terrorists last year, passed away on Tuesday night.

Dr. Ram had braved the terrorists' threats and abuses and examined the hostages numerous times during the 56 days they were held hostage by the terrorists.

Dr. Ram was himself held hostage for 3 days. He was refused permission to leave the Complex after he examined elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry on the night of 20 May. Chaudhry was brutally beaten by the Speight thugs that evening, resulting in rib fracture.

The police investigating the terrorists had taken statements from Dr. Ram. It is believed that Dr. Ram was a key witness for the police against the terrorists. Dr. Ram had gone over his statement again with the police only a day before he was taken ill and hospitalised.

Only two weeks ago, another prominent personality who was allowed to meet the hostages, John Scott, was found murdered at his home. The police chief Isikia Savua has tried his best to claim that Scott's murder was not politically motivated.

Dr. Ram was 49. His wife and a son survive him. Many members of the elected government who were held hostage have visited the family and expressed their condolences. His funeral will be held today at 1.30pm at the Vartuwaqa crematorium.

 

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