Protesters injured during the `July Movement` have intensified their demonstration at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, demanding advanced medical treatment abroad.
Hospital sources report that the protest has turned increasingly tense and confrontational.
Some demonstrators have taken drastic steps, including reported consumption of poison and threats of self-immolation with petrol.
The situation further escalated when the hospital director was allegedly confined, employees were threatened, and attempts at vandalism and verbal abuse of doctors were made.
Amid growing security concerns, hospital staff launched a work stoppage today.
Several employees were reportedly locked inside by protesters, prompting military intervention to gradually rescue the detained staff.
Currently, the hospital premises are fraught with tension among patients and staff, with incidents of clashes being reported. To restore order, 20 police officers and 20 members of the Ansar force have been deployed, along with an army patrol team.
In response to the unrest, hospital staff have initiated a peaceful sit-in in front of the main gate since 9:30 a.m., demanding security and denouncing the increasingly violent nature of the protest.
The ongoing agitation is severely disrupting regular medical services. As of now, the institute has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
