A 23-year-old woman died after a family planning surgery was performed on her at Arapalayam Primary Health Centre (PHC) near Pethanaickenpalayam on Wednesday.The deceased was identified as M. Sumathi (23), a mother of three children and a resident of Soolankurichi near Karumandurai. According to police, the PHC referred her to Attur Government Hospital owing to medical complications after the surgery, but she died at the hospital.Subsequently, her husband, Madeswaran, lodged a complaint with the Yethapur police, alleging medical negligence as the cause of death. The body was sent to the Government Hospital in Salem for a post-mortem examination.On Thursday, Sumathi’s family members and relatives staged a protest at the Salem Collectorate and demanded action against the doctors. The police held talks with them and allowed five persons to submit a petition at the Collectorate. The CPI(M) extended their support to the family and participated in the protest.Her relatives announced that they would continue the protest and would not receive the body until their demands were met. Published - September 03, 2026 06:09 pm IST