At Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, hospital employees reportedly assaulted students on hunger strike demanding reforms in the healthcare sector.
The staff then forcibly removed the students from the campus. The main coordinator of the protest, Mahiyuddin Roni, was reportedly sought during the assault but did not appear at the protest site today.
On Thursday around 12:30 pm, nurses, technicians, and other hospital employees staged a demonstration on Band Road in front of the hospital, describing the students’ demands as “unreasonable.”
According to the protest’s spokesperson, prior to the attack, hospital staff in aprons—including nurses and technicians—allegedly assaulted a patient and restrained their relatives. Following this, the staff reportedly targeted the hunger-striking students.
Eyewitnesses said the employees physically attacked one individual severely and later conducted a rally within the hospital compound and on the main road, chanting slogans such as, “Roni, where are you?” and calling for disciplinary action against the protest coordinator. Upon returning to the campus, the students were allegedly beaten again.
Attempts to obtain immediate comments from those involved in the attack were unsuccessful. When contacted, the hospital’s Assistant Director stated he was in his office and unaware of any assault. Attempts to reach the hospital Director were also unsuccessful, though a message was sent.
The incident occurred a day after the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) representative visited Barishal and assured the students that their demands would be considered, while warning that any protest causing public inconvenience could prompt law enforcement action.
