“I was attacked for no reason,” says recovering koyta attack survivor

Rohit Pawar recovers in the Neurosurgery Department ICU on Wednesday. PIC/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

There was no fight ever. I don't even know any of the people who hit me," Rohit Pawar said in a one-on-one interaction with mid-day days after he was brought to the civic-run Sion Hospital with severe head injuries following a machete attack.

Pawar, who underwent surgery on Monday, was reported to be stable on Wednesday and was shifted from the Trauma ICU to the Neurosurgery Department's ICU after signs of steady recovery. "His mobility, speech and neurological responses were assessed before the transfer was made. He could get up and take a few steps with support. He is talking fine and able to recognise everyone," said Dr Batuk Diyora, professor and head of the Neurosurgery Department.

Unknown attackers

Rohit Pawar at Sion Hospital in the early hours of May 2. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

"Just like every night, I went down to hang out with my friends after dinner. Hardly 10-15 minutes had passed when someone suddenly hit me with the koyta out of nowhere. Neither my friends nor I know any of those boys. Also, police have taken just three of them into custody. But there were at least five or six of them," Pawar told mid-day.

‘Living in fear'

According to Pawar, he lost his mother when I was very young. "Since then it's just my elder brother, my dad and me. We have been managing somehow. And now, this happened despite no fault of mine. I don't know how I'll recover and get back to my routine. This fear of being attacked anytime, anywhere, with no fault of ours will probably never go away," Pawar, who works as a machine operator at BARC, said.

A CT scan of the 27-year-old's cranium. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

‘Recovering quite well'

Doctors treating Pawar said he had shown encouraging signs on the second day after surgery. "While he has not yet resumed consuming solid food, his condition has improved, and he continues to remain under close observation in the neurosurgery ward," said Dr Diyora.

Statement recorded

Pawar was unable to speak on Tuesday, delaying police efforts to record his statement. As his condition improved on Wednesday, police were able to question him and record his version of events. Investigators are relying on this to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible. Police are continuing their probe into the assault, while doctors remain cautiously optimistic about his recovery.

Official Speak

A police officer
Rohit Pawar and the attackers had a past dispute. They knew each other. We will investigate the cause of the dispute by recording statements of those detained as well. Since Pawar is still recovering, we are taking it slow. All the detainees are currently lodged in Dongri Children's Home.

Doctor Speak

Dr Batuk Diyora, Head, neurosurgery, Sion Hospital
Such cases, although not rare, are sensitive and need delicate handling. Being the largest trauma care centre in the city, we have seen many such cases… at least 25-30 in the last 10 years. In such cases, the key is not to pull out the object. Perforating cases however, are fewer than these.