Cuttack: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Orissa High Court Wednesday seeking a ban on public gathering, demonstration and protest on SCB Medical College and Hospital premises.
Activist Achyutananda Swain has urged the court to declare the SCBMCH as ‘prohibited area’ for public gathering. Health secretary, law secretary, Director of Health department, home secretary, SCB superintendent, commissioner of police, Cuttack Collector, deputy commissioner of police and Mangalabag inspector-in-charge have been made parties to the case.
The petitioner has stated that the government-run SCBMCH is the only hospital in the eastern region with advanced facilities for critical diseases. People from across the state including those from some neighbouring states depend on the hospital for availing better healthcare.
However, public meetings, gatherings, protests and demonstrations have turned a regular affair here, only to the disadvantage of patients. Such activities spoil the working environment of the hospital, the petitioner alleged.
Swain, in the petition, stated that political parties organise meetings on the hospital premises and use loudspeakers with high decibel sound. Besides, students and medical staff also organise various events in the hospital premises, giving two hoots to the condition of patients.
The petitioner has further alleged that even though the medical authorities and the district administration are aware of the issue, no step was taken so far to prevent such activities.
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