Shahjahanpur Medical College: Female dialysis trainee dragged, staff assaulted in mob attack
Shahjahanpur: Tension gripped the Government Medical College (GMC) in Shahjahanpur on Friday after a group of people allegedly dragged and assaulted a dialysis technician trainee and other hospital staff inside the dialysis unit, triggering a protest by students that disrupted outpatient department (OPD) services for nearly an hour.
The incident reportedly began when the family of a 19-year-old chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient, who had been admitted to the dialysis unit earlier in the day, allegedly became upset over the allotment of a bed. According to hospital officials, the argument escalated around 12:30 p.m on Friday, after the attendants allegedly mistook a dialysis technician trainee for recording the conversation on her mobile phone.
Hospital staff alleged that the patient's father slapped the trainee. Soon afterwards, the family allegedly called around 20 to 25 people, who arrived in three vehicles and entered the dialysis unit.
According to the news reports, the group vandalised hospital property, broke flower pots and the glass door of a cabin where staff members had taken shelter, and physically assaulted several healthcare workers. The dialysis technician trainee was allegedly dragged by her hair, beaten and choked, while other students and staff members were also assaulted as they attempted to escape.
Speaking to Amar Ujala, another dialysis diploma student said her sister is a student in the 2024 batch of the Dialysis Technician course. The patient's attendants abused and slapped her. When she hid in a cabin to save her life, they broke the glass door, beat her severely, dragged her by her hair, and choked her. She also said the attackers claimed to be relatives of a BJP MLA.
Staff members later submitted a memorandum to the Medical College Principal, demanding enhanced security and strict action against those involved. They alleged that patient care was disrupted for nearly one-and-a-half hours and warned of a strike if the accused were not arrested within two days.
Following the incident, trainee students and hospital staff staged a protest, shut down the dialysis unit and suspended OPD services for nearly an hour. The OPD registration counter was closed before its scheduled time, forcing many patients to leave without consultation. Hospital services in several departments were also affected as employees joined the protest.
Based on a complaint filed by the principal, police registered a case and launched an investigation.
Circle Officer (City) Devvrat Vajpayee said police rushed to the Government Medical College after receiving information that trainee students were being assaulted. “Police immediately reached the spot and detained the father and his son who were allegedly involved in vandalising the medical college. The remaining attackers fled,” he said, as reported by PTI.
Police attempted to pacify the protesting students, who demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved. The protest ended after officials assured them that appropriate action would be taken.
Meanwhile, after his name was implicated in the case, the BJP MLA stated that he had no connection to any of the attackers, and gave the police the freedom to take action as they saw fit, reports Amar Ujala.
Reacting to the incident, BJP member Mukesh Dixit said in a post on 'X', "The brutal assault on female dialysis students by unruly elements at the Medical College, Shahjahanpur, is an act of inhumanity and utmost cruelty. I strongly condemn this in the harshest terms and demand immediate action against the culprits."
Member of Parliament Ankit Ambedkar also condemned the incident in a post on X, alleging that the assault on female dialysis students and hospital staff at Shahjahanpur Government Medical College was deeply concerning. He called for a fair investigation and strict action against those responsible, stating that healthcare workers must be able to perform their duties in a safe environment
