Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today shared a video of his conversation with the police officer who underwent a surgery after his hand was chopped off while enforcing lockdown orders in Patiala on Sunday. Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjeet Singh's hand was cut with a sword while three other Punjab policemen sustained injuries when they were attacked by a group after being asked to show curfew passes at a vegetable market in Patiala district.
The video begins with Mr Singh addressing the police officer as "beta" or son as he enquires about his health. "We are very proud of you," the minister is heard saying to the police officer, who is seen lying on the hospital bed.
"Spoke to ASI Harjeet Singh, who is recovering after his operation, to enquire about his health. The composure & bravery with which he spoke today is truly worthy of admiration. Wishing him a speedy recovery," Mr Singh tweeted.
The police officer underwent a 7.5-hour long surgery successful surgery at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh yesterday.
Amarinder Singh had shared the news on Twitter and congratulated the doctors and support staff for "their painstaking effort".
"I am happy to share that a 7.5-hour long surgery has been successfully completed at PGIMER to repair the severed wrist of ASI Harjeet Singh. I thank the entire team of doctors and support staff for their painstaking effort. Wishing ASI Harjeet Singh a speedy recovery," he tweeted.
"The re-implantation started at around 10 am. Both radial and ulnar artery, the vena comitans and an extra dorsal vein were anastomosed. All the flexors and extensor tendons were repaired. The nerves at the wrist were repaired and the bone fixation was done using three K-wires. The surgery went on for about 7.5 hours," said a doctor at the PGIMER.
The Chief Minister on Sunday had strongly condemned the attack and warned that anyone violating the curfew, imposed in the state since March 23 to check the spread of COVID-19 , would be strictly dealt with.
Commenting on the issue, DGP Dinkar Gupta tweeted, "Will complete probe in 10 days and move for trial on fast track to ensure quick & deterrent action in this case".
The DGP said that such acts would not be tolerated.
All 11 accused had been booked under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Disaster Management Act, Explosives Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act.
Punjab, where thousands of people staying abroad returned after the outbreak started, has extended the lockdown till May 1.
With inputs from agencies