June 13 Attack on Trainee Nurses at MMCH: Second probe committee promises fairness

A probe body formed by Directorate of Health and Family Welfare went to Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) yesterday to investigate the June 13 attack on the trainee nurses at the hospital.

The three-member probe body headed by Dr Shamsul Haque, director, alternative medicine talked with the hospital authorities, senior doctors, leaders of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) local unit, nurses and employees, sources said.

Contacted, Dr Shamsul Haque said they were working to unearth 'real fact' behind the incident through a free, fair and neutral investigation.

The probe report will be submitted to the director general of health and family welfare directorate within 10 days, he said.

Earlier, a probe body formed on June 14, a day after the attack on the trainee nurses by the fourth class employees of MMCH, submitted its report on July 5, after missing three deadlines.

The report is yet to be made public, hospital sources said. It is a departmental inquiry and the findings of the report will not be made public, said Brigadier General Dr Mohammad Shahjahan, director of MMCH.

At least 35 people were injured as trainee nurses and employees of MMCH locked in a series of clashes on June 13. Among the injured, 30 are students of Mymensingh Nursing College (MNC)

Later the trainee nurses went on a week-long agitation programme including class boycott, formation of human chains, sit-in procession and rallies protesting the attack. All academic activities of MNC including examinations remained suspended during the agitation.

Sources said, earlier the trainee nurses on June 13 morning went to meet the hospital director to know the reasons for cancellation of their sick room facilities.

When the students entered the director's room, a group of fourth class employees of the hospital rushed to the spot and asked the students to give them easy passage.

As the students refused to leave the place, an altercation began and at one stage an employee pushed a female student and pulled her scarf triggering a clash, students said.

The employees later swooped on the students and beat them up with sticks indiscriminately, injuring at least 30 students.

Source : The Daily Star