VIMSAR standoff: Medicos put stir on hold

Sambalpur: After four days of logjam owing to the indefinite cease-work stir by students of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) put stir on hold after a general body meeting today.

The move came after the doctors’ body held a telephonic conversation with Health Minister Pratap Jena.

“Health minister assured us that he would look into our demands and ensure quick action in this regard. He has urged us to promote peace and restore normalcy in the campus. We had demanded that sufficient security be deployed inside the campus and today the administration has acceded to our request,” said secretary of JDA, Debi Prasad Mishra.

Sources said there were no discussions on anything related to VIMSAR director who was alleged of misusing administrative powers.

Meanwhile, medical authorities have welcomed the move. “The suspension of the cease-work stir is very welcoming. The doctors are the backbone of the hospital and once they join their duty, patient care will improve,” director Ashwini Pujahari said.

As many as 240 PG students, 150 house surgeons and 750 under graduate students of the medical institute went on an indefinite cease-work expressing resentment over functioning of director Aswini Pujahari.

The development came after two PG students allegedly assaulted an attendant of a patient and then pelted stones at the residence of the director. Such an incident triggered a public outcry and the locals came out in support of the director launching protests. However, students alleged that the director instigated the public to attack UG and PG students.

On the other hand the director stood his ground saying students should first apologise to the man who was thrashed, accept their mistake for hurling stones at his residence and give in writing to the police that they will maintain peace in the institute.