… police seeking help in identifying suspects

Chencho Dema | Punakha 

A 21-year-old man remains in critical condition after an alleged assault at Thangzothang near Punakha dzong on the final day of Punakha Dromche on February 28 at around 7.30pm.   

He was taken to Punakha hospital and referred to JDWNRH the same night.

The man is reported to have regained consciousness yesterday and could speak a little, but doctors advised his parents to let him rest. Kuensel learned that the doctors have said that he needs surgery.

Police are searching for suspects.

The incident, according to sources, took place during a brief power outage. There was no one around to see when or how it occurred.

When the power returned, the man was found unconscious and covered in blood by the police on duty and some individuals at the stalls.

He was then taken to the hospital. He was bleeding from his mouth and nose, and from the back of his head, which was swollen.

According to sources, his injuries including cuts on his face indicated that he could have been involved in a fight.

According to the medical prescription from the Punakha hospital, it stated that the man was “unconscious, unresponsive, and had suffered a traumatic brain injury”.

The man is a class 12 dropout, unemployed, and de-suup from Trashigang. He wasn’t on duty at the time of the incident. He went out for the evening with three other friends in Thangzothang, where there was a fair or mela.

According to sources, the victim left his friends saying he will meet them later. It was unclear where he went or what transpired to him.

One of his acquaintances said the victim had no adversaries or a history of confrontations that would have led to such an incident.

Meanwhile, police are asking for help in identifying any suspects.