Bhopal Police Order Probe After Water Cannon Injures Intern Doctors
Bhopal Police Commissioner orders an inquiry after water cannons and batons injured intern doctors protesting for a stipend hike.
The Bhopal Police Commissioner has ordered an investigation into the use of force against protesting intern doctors at a government medical college. The action came a day after at least four MBBS interns were injured when police deployed water cannons to disperse their demonstration on the campus of Gandhi Medical College (GMC).
The interns were protesting their longstanding demand for a stipend increase from the current ₹14,437 to ₹30,000. As the protestors planned to march towards the Chief Minister's residence, police used water cannons. Later, the protestors alleged they were also subjected to a baton charge near the campus. Their march was halted less than two kilometres from the Chief Minister's house, leading to a sit-in at Kamla Park.
The sit-in continued through the night and into Tuesday, with the doctors boycotting OPD and routine operation theatre services while keeping emergency services operational. Support actions also interrupted services at Gwalior's Gajra Raja Medical College.
Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) leaders reported that four interns were seriously injured, including one with a broken arm and another with an eye injury. They claimed the protest was peaceful and that girl interns standing on the side were also targeted. The GMC Dean and CEO, Dr. Kavita N. Singh, also criticised the police action in a letter, calling the use of water cannons and lathicharge at the emergency gate "completely inappropriate" and seeking an inquiry.
Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar's order appoints Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Vikas Sahwal to conduct an impartial investigation. The order notes the matter was brought to attention by Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla.
Protest leaders also highlighted a disparity, claiming Madhya Pradesh ranks 28th in the country for intern stipends while being third in MBBS fees at government colleges. Minister Shukla has stated that the government is sensitive to the doctors' demands and is engaged in positive discussions to reach a practical solution.