Clash at Ongole Medical College campus, 15 MBBS Students suspended until further orders

The incident has prompted OMC Principal Dr. Yedukondala Rao to implement stringent measures, suspending the students from both the hostel and college until further orders. Dr Yedukondalu told TNIE,"After a thorough inspection of the video clips that went viral on social media platforms, our college committee has identified 15 students involved in the clashes. Subsequently, we have issued suspension orders to them effective immediately. Some of the 15 students had been suspended from the hostel last August and those orders are still in force."

The inquiry committee has already started investigating the matter. “A decision on the severity of the punishment for the students will be taken once the panel submits the report. We are updating the Director of Medical Education (DME), District Collector, Superintendent of Police (SP) and other authorities concerned about the developments,” the principal explained.

In the meantime, an investigation has been launched by the police department also to find the perpetrators. According to reports, Malika Garg, the district superintendent of police, has taken strong offense at the misbehaviour of the college students and directed police officers to complete the investigation as soon as possible in order to punish the individuals who started the altercation if found guilty. 

The Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported in September that ten senior MBBS students of the government-run Gandhi Medical College were suspended for one year. The seniors allegedly harassed the juniors by calling them in the middle of the night and making them dance, poking fun and using abusive language. 

In June 2023, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a circular to all medical college principals and deans. The circular required them to furnish compliance reports pertaining to the 2022-23 period, specifically focusing on anti-ragging measures, documented cases of ragging, and the subsequent measures implemented. It was made clear that all medical colleges were expected to strictly follow the guidelines outlined in the Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges and Institutions Regulations of 2021.