Patna: Students at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna launched a protest on Friday demanding the release of two junior doctors detained in connection with an assault case involving engineering department personnel.
From the morning, protesting students gathered outside the director’s office and demanded that the FIR registered in the case be withdrawn. They also called for the immediate release of the detained doctors, setting a deadline of 3 pm for action.
OPD services disrupted
As part of the protest, students suspended OPD services at the hospital.
Protesters warned that emergency services could also be disrupted if the detained doctors were not released. The disruption caused inconvenience to patients visiting the hospital for treatment.
Earlier in the day, members of the Resident Doctors’ Association held a meeting with its president, Rajat Kumar, following which the protest strategy was decided.
Assault case linked to AC repair dispute
The controversy began after an altercation on Thursday between junior doctors and engineering department staff over repair work related to the central air-conditioning system.
According to police, engineer Rishu Mishra, his father Ashok Mishra and lift engineer Aman Kumar were allegedly assaulted during the incident.
Based on Rishu Mishra’s complaint, a case was registered at Shastrinagar police station against Dr Deepak Kumar, Dr Ajit Kumar and several unidentified persons.
Police later detained two individuals in connection with the case.
Earlier dispute allegedly reported to authorities
In his complaint, Rishu Mishra stated that the dispute had initially started on Wednesday evening while he was carrying out AC repair work in the radiology department.
He alleged that some junior doctors argued with him and that the confrontation escalated into pushing and physical assault. Mishra said he had informed the institute’s director about the matter on the same day, but no action was taken.
According to the complaint, when he later returned to raise the issue again with the director, he, his father and the lift engineer were allegedly surrounded and assaulted by a group of medical students.
Police investigation underway
Police officials said the investigation into the incident is ongoing and further action will be taken based on evidence and statements collected during the inquiry.
Hospital authorities had not issued an official statement on the protests at the time of reporting.
