Malappuram: A day after the mob lynching of a tribal youth shocked Kerala's conscience, another instance of alleged hospital apathy has led to the death of a tribal man in north Kerala.

Fifty-year-old Thandan of Ayyapankulam colony at Pookottumpadam near Nilambur fell from a coconut tree and died after an alleged delay in providing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical C ollege Hospital on Friday.

He was plucking coconuts when he fell and rushed to the Nilambur district hospital. He was later referred to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. However, it was alleged that there was a delay in providing medical assistance at the hospital. The hospital authorities were reportedly waiting for the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) promoter to arrive before attending to the victim. The ambulance driver brought the ITDP promoter. However, Thandan died by 5pm on Friday.

A police officer said investigations were in progress and further details would be known later. The hospital authorities have not responded to the allegation till now.

Mob lynching of tribal

The incident of alleged apathy against a tribal comes close on the heels of the mob lynching of tribal youth Madhu at Agali. The 35-year-old tribal was beaten to death by local people for allegedly stealing articles from shops at Agali. The deceased, suspected to be mentally unsound, belonged to Kadukumanna settlement of Attappadi, one of the largest tribal hamlets in the state.

He was beaten up by the local people and later handed over to the police Thursday. But he collapsed and died in the police jeep. The police have registered a case and arrested some people.

(With inputs from PTI)

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