Post News Network
Berhampur, Dec 8: An agitation by students of MKCG Medical College and Hospital here over the government’s decision to shift their counterparts of a private medical college to government-run medical colleges witnessed an anti-climax Tuesday, with some of the protesters leaving for home after being allegedly coerced by hospital authorities.
Sources said the junior students, fearing that their careers would be botched by authorities if they stuck to their agitation, caved in and left for their homes. This was revealed by fourth year students at a press conference Tuesday.
The students of MKCG have been on a protest ever since the High Court ruled that the students of Sardar Rajas Medical College in Kalahandi district be shifted to the three state-run medical colleges in the state. The students are demanding a review of the HC order, stating that this is against the established principle of enrolling students at state-run medical colleges solely on the basis of merit.
The students launched the agitation after talks between them and the college authorities failed to materialise. The students have refused to budge from their stand and have remained steadfast in their decision to continue with the agitation.
Several students however have alleged that college authorities telephoned junior students and threatened them to immediately withdraw from the agitation, warning them of punitive action if they refused to heed. The fourth year students alleged that some authorities even telephoned the families of students asking them to advise their wards to bow out of the protest, as it would endanger their careers.
Principal Dr AK Dandapata admitted that college authorities telephoned the students advising them to refrain from the agitation but rejected the charges of threats being issued.
Students’ union president Ratan Kumar Digal said they will decide on their future course of action after the High Court gives a ruling on their review petition which is slated for hearing Wednesday.
