MP medical interns continue stir for ₹30,000 stipend, allege police excess

Medical interns from government colleges across Madhya Pradesh continued their sit-in near Kamala Park in Bhopal for a third day on Wednesday, pressing their demand for a monthly stipend of ₹30,000. The current stipend stands at ₹14,337.

The protest has drawn support from senior resident doctors at the government-run Gandhi Medical College (GMC), who have announced a boycott of outpatient department (OPD) services. Interns from other state-run medical colleges, including those in Chhindwara, Sagar, and Bundelkhand, have now joined the agitation in the state capital.

Protesters have alleged that police used lathicharge and water cannons against them during a peaceful demonstration on Monday, claiming injuries including eardrum damage and hand fractures. These allegations could not be independently verified.

Intern doctor Abhishek Yadav from Chhindwara Institute of Medical College pointed out that counterparts in other states receive an average stipend of nearly ₹30,000. Another protester, Anurag from GMC Bhopal, said doctors have been seeking the increase for three years and have met officials repeatedly over the past three months.

"For the past three months, we have been hearing that the stipend will be increased, but assurances alone will not suffice," Anurag said, adding that the protest will end only if the government issues a written order or clearly states the date from which the hike takes effect.

Emergency services have continued uninterrupted, and demonstrations are being held on one side of the road while traffic flows on the other, he said.

An official indicated that a decision on the demand is expected soon after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav returns to Bhopal later in the evening.