SAMBALPUR:Members of the civil society in Sambalpur, Bargarh and Sonepur came out in support of VIMSAR Director Ashwini Pujahari and demanded action against PG students for hampering health services through their cease work that entered fourth day on Wednesday.
Members of Nagarik Kriyanusthan Committee staged a dharna at Nelson Mandela square in Sambalpur town and they were joined by members of over 100 other organisations, including Bar associations from across the district. They called on the students to call off the cease work. They suggested that all those involved in assaulting an attendant in VIMSAR and misbehaving with Pujahari at his house be arrested at the earliest. The members demanded action against VIMSAR doctors who are allegedly instigating students through social media to cease work and those doing private practice during duty hours.
Justifying Pujahari’s move in exposing doctors involved in private practice and asking students to attend classes regularly, they have decided to launch a mass movement against the agitating PG students at Burla on August 8 that coincides with August Kranti Divas. Members of Nagarik Kriyanusthan Committee would request students to call off the cease work on the day failing which, they would launch agitation at Burla.
Members of District Bar Association observed six-hour-long bandh in support of the VIMSAR Director at Attabira block in Bargarh district. They submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through the Collector, demanding stern action against PG students and security to Pujahari to carry out reforms in VIMSAR for the benefit of patients. The district unit of the Congress also submitted a memorandum to Governor SC Jamir and called for action against doctors neglecting their duty.
Similarly at Binka in Sonepur district, locals took out a rally and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor through Binka BDO Biswaranjan Mallick. They also demanded that Pujahari be given a free hand and security to ensure smooth functioning of the institution.
Earlier on Monday, a protest meeting was held at Dungripali in Sonepur where villagers from 26 gram panchayats of the block resolved to march to Burla to express their support for Pujahari.