In Punjab, at least 15 persons have lost their eyesight after a cataract operation at a free eye camp organized by an NGO in Gurdaspur district. They all belonged to Amritsar district. Reports of some more cases are also coming in but the exact figure is still not known.

Speaking to AIR, Amritsar Civil Surgeon, Dr. Rajiv Bhalla said these patients were operated at an eye camp in Ghumaan village of Gurdaspur district around ten days ago. He said all of them have been admitted in Amritsar Medical College. When asked about the early reports of about 50 persons affected in the cataract surgery, Dr. Bhalla said that it is yet not clear as he was having the figure of those belonged to Amritsar.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Ravi Bhagat said that a high level inquiry has been ordered. The incident emerged when the affected patients approached the Deputy Commissioner, yesterday, to lodge a complaint against the NGO and the doctors concerned.