Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Youth Congress workers staged a protest at the official residence of Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday over the incident in which a surgical scissor was allegedly left inside a patient’s abdomen during a procedure at Government Medical College Hospital, Vandanam.

The activists forced open the gate and placed a wreath in front of the residence as a mark of protest.

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The protest took place at the minister’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram and was held early in the morning in an apparent attempt to catch security off guard. Only two police personnel were reportedly present at the time, and neither the minister nor her family members were at home.

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The incident has triggered criticism over a serious security lapse, as the residence is located near the police commissioner’s office. Additional police later reached the spot and removed the protesters.

The Youth Congress demanded the minister’s immediate resignation, alleging repeated medical negligence in the state.

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The activists claimed the health department was “turning into a department of death” and accused the minister of failing to take strict action against those responsible despite multiple reported lapses. They alleged that even staff within the department were facing shortages of basic supplies and that merely calling for reports was not enough.

The protesters alleged that a minister who plays with people’s lives has no moral right to continue in office.