Kolkata: Tension ran high at Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake when some Upper Division (UD) assistants under the Directorate of Health Services went on a rampage, ransacking a portion of the Principal Secretary's room.
The incident turned violent after one of the employees suffered a heart attack during a demonstration outside the building to protest against the transfer of 67 UD assistants of the health department.
The victim, Kajal Banerjee, who was currently posted at the Directorate of Health Services, delivered a lecture during today's agitation. After delivering the lecture at the protest rally, he suffered a cardiac arrest. Some of his colleagues rushed him to the Bidhannagar Sub-divisional Hospital where he died. The doctors in the hospital said that the victim had died from a heart attack.
As the news of his death reached Swasthya Bhavan, the agitating UD assistants became infuriated and started marching towards the room of the Principal Secretary of health Anil Verma. They wrecked a portion of his office. A huge contingent of police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
It was learnt that the health department had issued an order, thereby transferring around 67 UD assistants to various places including districts. The agitators claimed that the department cannot transfer senior employees to the districts and demanded withdrawal of the order.
The situation turned violent when the agitators stormed into Swasthya Bhavan, reached the Principal Secretary's room and started ransacking the furniture. They also demanded resignation of the Principal Secretary. Police later pacified the agitating mob.
The UD assistants who were transferred, alleged that they had sought appointment of the Principal Secretary regarding the issue but were denied permission. They wanted to submit a memorandum to the secretary, stating their demands.