Rajshahi Correspondent, Asian Voice 24.com: An Ansar member has been seriously injured in an attack by a reckless ambulance syndicate in front of the emergency department of Rajshahi Medical College (Ramek) Hospital. The injured Ansar member has been identified as Firoj Sarkar.

According to Ansar sources, Firoj Sarkar, who was on duty at Gate No. 4 of the hospital, noticed an ambulance trying to enter despite a prohibition. When he questioned the driver, a verbal altercation followed. Subsequently, another driver allegedly punched him, causing his nose to bleed.

Seeing the situation escalate, other Ansar members detained two drivers. However, shortly after, remaining drivers forcibly freed them. Syndicate members then gathered outside the hospital armed with sticks, rods and machetes, heightening tensions.

Upon receiving the report, the Army, RAB and Police conducted a joint operation and arrested three individuals involved. The ambulance used in the attack has been seized.

For a long time, there have been serious allegations against the outsider ambulance syndicate operating around Ramek Hospital. The syndicate is accused of holding patients and corpses hostage to extort excessive fees and of intimidating Ansar personnel and hospital staff.

The syndicate’s alleged ringleaders — Rabbul, Badsha, Dalim and Alim — reportedly went into hiding after the incident. The group is also said to exert control over microbus drivers and owners in Rajshahi.

Brigadier General F.M. Shamim Ahmad, Director of Ramek Hospital, said:

“These outsider ambulance drivers are extremely reckless and lack basic humanity. Their behavior amounts to outright terror. The matter had already been reported in writing to the relevant authorities.”

He added that a case is being prepared against the three arrested individuals. Hospital authorities have appealed to the RAB, Police and Ministry of Home Affairs to bring the syndicate’s main leaders to justice, warning that the hospital’s ordeal will continue unless they are apprehended.

To ensure the security of Ramek Hospital and proper patient care, the activities of the ambulance syndicate must be immediately curbed. Coordinated law-enforcement action can help restore discipline and service quality at the hospital.