Harassed by students, CMCH principal falls sick; protest enters 8th day

Kolkata: Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) Principal Uchhal Bhadra fell ill after he was heckled by some MBBS students, who continue to protest for the past eight days at the hospital premises, demanding a new hostel accommodation.

It is alleged that it was a politically motivated incident, where the Principal was targeted with mala-fide intentions.

It happened after a scuffle broke out during the agitation inside the hospital on Tuesday.

The Principal was immediately taken to the Cardiology department of the hospital for treatment. He was, however, shifted to SSKM Hospital in an ambulance.

A section of doctors in the hospital said that agitating students tried to put block the ambulance from going away. They called it an unfortunate incident.

Earlier in the day, the Principal of CMCH held a press conference regarding the ongoing students' agitation.

He said the CMCH authorities have agreed to meet the demands.

The agitating students were assured that they would be given a new hostel accommodation, whereas in some of the cases, the condition of some hostel rooms would be improved. Around 276 hostel rooms have also been allotted by the CMCH authorities.

But the agitating students refused to listen to the authorities and demanded rooms in the new hostel building.

They gheraoed the Principal when he was coming out of the press conference. The incident triggered tension on the medical college campus on Tuesday.

It was learnt that Bhadra, who has blood pressure, felt chest pain following the incident.

After primary treatment in CMCH, the Principal was taken to SSKM Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment in the ITU. Several tests were performed on him.

The agitating students, however, threatened to submit a memorandum to the Governor placing their demands.

The second, third and fourth year MBBS students of CMCH started a protest agitation inside the hospital campus, nearly seven days ago, demanding a new hostel for them.

The move was taken after the first year MBBS students were given a new hostel by the CMCH authorities.

The students taking part in the agitation alleged that the hostel meant for them is not in a good condition.