Odisha MBBS Students Stage Sit-In Alleging Lack Of Basic Amenities In College

Baripada: Tension erupted at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada after students of the college locked the main gate and sat on dharna in front of the Dean's office demanding fulfillment of their demands.

As per reports, the second year students of the relatively new medical college in the northern-Odisha town of Baripada have been complaining of poor infrastructure and sanitation in the college campus since long. As per their allegations, even the basic amenities like pure drinking water were not provided to them.

A student alleged, "When we first came to the hostel, we were promised of mattresses, but it has been 18 months and we are yet to get them."

"We have three beds in each room, but the authorities are forcing us to accommodate four students, making it impossible for us to study," he added.

Another student said, "We do not have sufficient water purifiers in our hostel. And as far as toilets are concerned, they are far from being clean. The sweeper comes once in a month making it unhygienic for us to use."

The students further alleged that they are being threatened to fail in the examination if they do not call of the strike at once.

Agitated students moved the District Collector on Thursday to submit their grievance and later met the Dean to discuss their problems. However, they decided to sit on dharna after no headway was made at the Dean's office.

The students said that they will call of the strike only after a written assurance from the college authorities.

Comments of the college authorities could not be obtained on the matter.

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)