Katihar Medical College Intern Attacked by Goons- Medicos on Strike Alleging Continous Threats for Last 6 Months

Katihar: An intern doctor at Katihar Medical College, Bihar was recently attacked by the local goons when he, along with two of his classmates, went outside the city on their motorcycles to a car showroom.

On their way back on Tuesday, when they stopped for a tea break, they were attacked by some goons. While two of the intern doctors managed to escape from the spot, one was attacked with a knife behind the ear and near the chin. Later, filing a police complaint, the victim medico identified one of the goons as a nursing student from the same medical college.

Based on the complaint received from the medico, police lodged an FIR in this connection under sections 126(3), 115(2), 118(2), 109/3(5) of BNS and section 27 of the Arms Act.

Raising the issue, the United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) mentioned in an X (formerly Twitter) post urged the authorities for urgent action and demanded immediate justice and protection for all healthcare workers.

The association also alleged that no decisive action has been taken even though the culprits have been identified. UDFA further alleged that this is not an isolated incident as the students and doctors at Katihar Medical College Hospital (KMCH) have been complaining of facing continuous threats over the last 6 months.

"Urgent action needed;An FIR has been filed after a violent attack on an intern doctor at Katihar Medical College, Bihar by local goons. Despite identification of the culprits, no decisive action has been taken yet. This is not an isolated incident — students & doctors have faced continuous threats over the last 6 months; now they are on #strike @udfaindia demands immediate justice and protection for all HCWs. The authorities must act swiftly to ensure the safety of the medical community," the association mentioned in an X post.

Attack on Intern Doctor:

As per the police complaint filed by the intern doctor who was attacked on Tuesday evening, the 24-year-old UG medico travelled outside the city along with his two classmates to a car showroom. On their way back, they stopped for a tea break. Following this, when they started their journey to Katihar, some unidentified people came to them on motorcycles. Two of them were wearing helmets and the faces of three were covered.

When the goons attacked the interns, two of them managed to escape and tried to get help. Meanwhile, one of the goons took his knife out and attacked the victim intern doctor with a knife, injured the left side of his face near the ear and cut his chin also. One of the goons took another weapon out and others told him to attack the intern with the same. Meanwhile, the other two interns brought help and the goons ran away on their bikes. However, on their way back, the goons threatened the interns and said that they would kill the interns if they went back to Katihar.

During the attack, the goons allegedly dropped a mobile phone and from the images in the gallery, the victim identified that the mobile belonged to a nursing student of KMCH. He also identified another person. Police have registered an FIR in this regard.

KMCH Students Allege Continuous Threats for Last 6 months:

The attack on the intern doctors came only a day after the students and residents of Boys Hostel 4 complained to the principal of the institute and highlighted their safety concerns.

"We the concerned students of Boys Hostel-4 (BH-4) wish to bring to the attention of the college authorities, law enforcement agencies, several disturbing incidents that have taken place jeopardizing our safety and security. These incidents are unacceptable and have left us deeply concerned about our well being," they mentioned in the letter directed to the Principal.

As per the students, the following incidents have been reported during the last few months:

Harassment of Female students:

They alleged that multiple female students have reported instances of being teased and harassed inside the college canteen. The individuals involved in this behaviour were confronted at the time of the incident and advised to stop their misbehavior towards female students, however despite being warned these individuals showed no remorse and no further action was taken to prevent such occurrences.

Violent Assault on Students Dated 04/10/2024:

As per the letter, a student was recently subjected to misbehavior by a group of individuals. This escalated into violence when these individuals returned armed with bamboo sticks, rods, belts and sickle attacking several students.

"This act of violence has left a deep sense of fear among the students of Boys Hostel. This incident which occurred was intimidated to the college authorities via an application on the 05/10/2024," they mentioned in the letter.

Continued Threats and Armed Intimidation Dated 06/10/2024:

They claimed that the following day i.e. on 06/10/2024, same group of individuals returned to the road near boys hostel-4, this time armed with pistols. They were stopping and interrogating every passerby including pedestrians and bikers, while waving their weapons in a threatening manner.

"This armed intimidation created a dangerous situation for anyone passing by as the group was actively searching for the specific batch of MBBS students (35th). The repeated harassment and escalation of threats have made it unsafe for students to move freely in the area," mentioned the letter.

As per the students, police and college authorities were informed immediately and simultaneously the students residing in BH-4 were also cautioned. Police arrived at the scene following which the goons fled leaving the vehicles (bikes) stranded at the spot. After a short interval one of the goon returned to pick up the vehicle ( image proof of the vehicle’s chassis number is attached herewith) following which he was surrounded by the mob and escorted inside the police vehicle. The accused was using abusive language following which in the heat of the moment the local crowd got out of control and the accused was thrashed. The students once again approached the college authorities for further action regarding the security and were assured of the earliest action.

Writing to the principal, the students demanded action against perpetrators, urged the authorities to ensure safety within the hostel premises, demanded a secured passage to the college. They also demanded that tea and snacks canteen be provided inside hostel premises and requested for police station or 24/7 patrol unit along with a toll-free SOS hotline for medical students.

"These incidents have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the students, which is unacceptable in an academic environment. We hope that the concerned authorities will take urgent action to address this situation and restore safety and peace for the residents of Boys Hostel 4," mentioned the letter.

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