Scores of house surgeons of Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir on Friday staged a cease-work protest at the hospital premises over an alleged assault on a house surgeon of the college.
They have been sitting on dharna since last evening after a miscreant identified as Samir Badamali from Rajendrapara in Bolangir allegedly assaulted a house surgeon of the hospital, Biswaranjan Sahu.
The victim is now undergoing treatment in the ICU of the hospital and his condition is said to be critical.
The protesting doctors have demanded immediate arrest of the miscreant under the National Security Act (NSA).
On being informed, Bolangir district Collector and SP went to the Medical College and held discussions with the agitation students. Health services have been partly affected by the agitation of the house surgeons and other students, sources said.
While police have started an investigation, the superintendent of the medical college held a discussion with the agitating students and persuaded them to call off the agitation. However, the protesters continued their strike by wearing bandages on their heads and marched towards the OPD to shut them too which led to a faceoff-like situation with the police too.
Asked about the dharna, a protesting student said, "We also do not feel good that patients are waiting outside and not getting treatment. But we will not join our duties untill the miscreant is arrested. There is nobody to ensure the safety and security of the doctors."
"We are not local people. We all have come from different parts of Odisha to study and then treat the patients. But we are in a constant fear while treating patients. This is not the first time somebody attacked a doctor. Doctors and medical strudents have been attacked by local goons before too," said another house surgeon.