HC directs DGP to file report on plea to provide protection to 108 ambulance crew members

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a report to the public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to the State to provide adequate police protection to 108 ambulance pilots (drivers), crew members and Emergency Medical Technicians across Tamil Nadu till the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections in 2026 is completed.

A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan sought response from the DGP while hearing the petition filed by M. Erulandi of Madurai, State General Secretary of Tamilnadu 108 Emergency Vehicle Tholizhalar Munnetra Sangam. The petitioner cited two recent incidents reported in Vellore and Tiruchi districts respectively in which 108 ambulance pilots and crew members were threatened during the AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s ‘Makkalai Kaappom, Thamilagathai Meetpom’ campaign.

He said on August 18 Mr. Palaniswami was campaigning in Vellore district and an ambulance passed through the route in order to pick up a patient to drop her to the government hospital for further treatment. However, irked by this Mr. Palaniswami questioned as to why an ambulance was passing through the route without a patient. If this was repeated, the pilot would be sent as a patient in the same ambulance Mr. Palaniswami had threatened, he said.

Similarly, in Tiruchi district on August 24, AIADMK functionaries assaulted an 108 ambulance crew. The ambulance crew included the pilot and Emergency Medical Technician. They were on their way to pick up a person who had fainted during a meeting. The ambulance was damaged and was not allowed to proceed, he said.

The petitioner complained that the 108 ambulance crew members were facing continuous threat. The authorities have to ensure the safety and security of the 108 ambulance crew members till the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections in 2026, he said.