West Bengal News: A dispute over alleged inadequate medical services at a super-speciality hospital in West Bengal's Bardhaman town escalated into violence on Thursday night, with doctors, hospital staff, and police personnel coming under attack, police said Six persons were detained in connection with the violence on Friday morning
According to news agency PTI, the altercation began when a youth from Swetipalli in Shaktigarh, Purba Bardhaman, was admitted to the hospital with a leg injury. Dissatisfied with the treatment, some of his family members and friends reportedly engaged in a heated argument with hospital authorities.
Hospital superintendent Shakuntala Sarkar told PTI, "The on-duty police officers tried to defuse the situation, but the group turned aggressive. They assaulted police personnel, dragged and beat doctors and staff, and partially vandalised hospital property."
As per Ananda Bazar Patrika, five police personnel were injured in the scuffle. One officer was admitted to the hospital for treatment, while the others were discharged after first aid.
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Senior police officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police Arka Bandyopadhyay and the officer-in-charge of Shaktigarh police station, rushed to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control.
Speaking to Ananda Bazar Patrika, hospital surgeon Shantanu Singh alleged that some youths, in an inebriated state, attacked the medical staff.
Hospital superintendent Shakuntala Sarkar remarked, "A young man from Swattipalli was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with a leg injury. During the treatment, some people who were with the patient expressed their anger over the medical services. They started violence over this. The police personnel on duty at the hospital tried to convince them. But they attacked the hospital doctors. When the police tried to stop them, they were also allegedly attacked.”
According to Ananda Bazar Patrika, Shakuntala further informed, “Four-five police personnel were injured in the incident. One of them is admitted to the hospital.” The police of Shaktigarh police station were informed. They brought the situation under control.
The incident comes amid an ongoing controversy over the alleged use of substandard saline at Medinipur Medical College leading to a pregnant woman's death. The BJP is cornering the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the incident and demanding the Chief Minister's resignation.