Hunger strike: Four medicos hospitalised

BHUBANESWAR: Four junior doctors had to be admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital on Friday even as the medicos’ cease work and hunger strike continued despite the Orissa High Court asking them to withdraw their agitation.  The condition of four junior doctors of the around 24 on hunger strike at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack since the last three days deteriorated and they were shifted to the Casualty wing of the SCBMCH for immediate medical intervention.  The medicos while staying steadfast on their conditions for withdrawal of the strike on Friday moved another petition in the High Court. They submitted that the main problems and issues have persisted despite directions for making elaborate security arrangements. While appealing for immediate arrest of Sisir Dandia, they stated that he resided on encroached land inside the campus near the hostels. He should be evicted and arrested first to prevent him from fomenting further trouble in the campus.  They also called for constitution of a high-level team to assess the situation and report on the ground realities prevailing in the hospital. Though three platoons of police had been instructed to be deployed, they would be inadequate as there was no defined or boundary campus as such and the whole hospital area was under clutches of encroachment, the JDA alleged. “We respect the Court’s order. We are ready to to join work but there are some practical impossibilities to resume duty. The students are in a frightened state and also have no faith in the district administration and police authorities who are quite hostile in attitude due to political pressure”, a spokesperson said.  The Court, meanwhile, has taken note of the continuance of the strike despite its call for withdrawal. A special sitting of the Court may be convened on the issue on Sunday if the doctors do not report to duty by Saturday.  The Government on its part has now adopted a wait and watch approach. “The matter is sub-judice. Though there have been no further discussions with the students, we are taking expedient steps to comply with the High Court orders. Security has been strengthened and every possible measure is being taken to ensure protection of the doctors and maintenance of law and order in the campus. Steps are being taken to clear encroachments from the hospital area and other activities like campus unification would follow”, Health Minister Prasanna Acharya said.