Guwahati, Oct 16: An HIV positive person and another individual were arrested by Assam police for “selling blood” at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) and in the process exposed a clandestine network of illegal blood donation business in the State.

The incident came to light when a person, who had tested positive for HIV, was intercepted while trying to sell his blood. It was later learnt that he had donated blood earlier, however, the accused denied knowing about his health condition.

Although blood donation is a voluntary act, these people were donating blood for a fee. “I was promised to receive Rs. 2000 for the blood so, I came,” the HIV person said.

Another person was also arrested, identified as Bahadur Sheikh. He too donated blood for a sum of Rs. 2000. Both these individuals were nabbed by the officials at the GMCH and handed over to the police and an FIR filed.

Later, it was found that a whole network is working to clandestinely sell blood to patients in desperate need. One of these networks is operated by one Yunus Ali, who is on the run.

According to the arrested individuals, Ali and some of his accomplices bring youths from Mankachar, Dhubri and other areas to sell blood to the patients undergoing treatment at the GMCH.

Patients, especially those from the rural areas, are the victims of this dangerous network. GMCH Superintendent Abhijit Sharma said, “There has to be more awareness programmes on blood donation. We would like to tell the patients that blood is provided by the blood bank.”

He further said that some of these blood donors have been arrested earlier too, but due to weak charge sheets have received bail and are once again operating outside the GMCH.

Sharma said the authorities should ensure that they are charged under some strict provisions of the law so that they remain in prison and don’t risk the lives of innocent people.

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