Sambalpur: The Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR) campus controversy here at Burla intensified today after agitating students resisted meeting and discussing the issues with director Aswini Pujahari.
The students raised slogans against the director while he tried to discuss the issues with them at the dharna spot on the campus. However, he failed to hold talks due to strong resistance from the striking students.
"I came to them for a discussion. But I can't meet them amid such a noisy environment. I have asked the principal to meet their delegation. If they agree, I am ready to discuss the issue," Pujahari said.
To a question whether health care is affected due to the stir, Pujahari said "The junior doctors are attending the patients. Being a physician, I will also take care of the patients at emergency and other wards. I will not let health care get hampered," he added.
The students sat on a dharna alleging that they have been falsely implicated in the case of attack on director's residence.
The controversy escalated further after some obscene posters were found put in front of the women’s hostel on the campus. The students expressed anguish over such posters which threatened the girl students of rape and murder. They lodged a complaint at hospital police outpost.
Meanwhile, PG students and house surgeons of SCB Medical College in Cuttack wore black badges as a mark of protest expressing solidarity with their VIMSAR counterparts.
On the other hand, the local residents launched a 12-hour bandh in Burla town demanding arrest of the attackers. The dawn-to dusk strike paralysed normal life as offices and commercial establishments remained shut. Vehicular communication was also disrupted. The stir was supported by various social outfits and traders associations of Sambalpur.