5-year-old dies, doctor absconding

DHARWAD: The death of a five-year-old girl, Aishwarya, caused tension for hours at both Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and on the District Civil Hospital premises in Dharwad on Monday.An injection administered by one Mohemmed Bisti, claiming to be a medical practitioner, was said to be the cause of the tragedy.The irate mob first attacked the house of Bisti and damaged it. They then moved to the Civil Hospital and staged a sit-in protest.Aishwarya, daughter of Lokesh and Arati was suffering from fever for a few days and her parents took her to Mohemmed Bisti who had opened a clinic. Bisti administered an injection to Aishwarya and a couple of days later she developed infections and wounds on her thigh. When her parents approached Bisti, he took them to the district civil hospital where the doctors allegedly applied an ointment and sent the patient back home.However, there was no improvement in the condition of the girl and she died on Monday morning. When the news spread, the neighbours and relatives gathered and attacked Bisti’s house.Sensing some trouble, Bisti had fled much earlier along with his family.The residents said that Bisti was running the clinic illegally for several years. They then went to the district civil hospital and staged a demonstration alleging that the doctors there did not treat Aishwarya properly.District Surgeon Dr Vijayvithal Managuli spoke to the protestors and pacified them.