Violence Erupts at AMU Medical College
Agra: A violent clash erupted at Aligarh Muslim University's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) on Tuesday night between resident doctors and patient attendants, leading to a complete breakdown of emergency services and forcing patients to seek care at other hospitals. The incident left an 80-year-old woman dead after her family alleged she was denied timely medical attention amid the chaos.
Medical services were severely disrupted as junior doctors and other staff went on a flash strike following the altercation. Several patients had to be shifted to Deendayal Hospital and other nearby facilities for treatment.
Origin of the Clash
The conflict began over the treatment of a 45-year-old woman, Shabana Begum, and quickly escalated into a physical assault. According to a complaint filed by Shabana's husband, Afzal Ahmed, he and his two sons were allegedly attacked by doctors and staff inside the emergency ward and later in the stretcher room. His ailing wife was also beaten when she tried to intervene.
Afzal stated in his police complaint: "When I asked the doctor at table No. 1 in the emergency room to attend to my wife, he abused me. When my son Shanu protested, the doctor slapped him. As my other son Anas intervened, several doctors and staff attacked us with iron rods and medical instruments, intending to kill us. JNMC officials rescued us and took us to the stretcher room, but the attackers followed and assaulted us again. When my wife tried to save us, they beat her too. They were calling each other by names—Talhah, Akil and Shahwaz—along with 8-10 unidentified men. One of them also stole my purse containing Rs 15,000 and important documents."
Police and University Response
DSP Sarvam Singh confirmed: "A case under multiple sections, including BNS 109 (attempt to murder) and 191 (rioting), has been registered against the accused. Further investigation is underway."
AMU proctor Mohammad Naved Khan described the incident as "unfortunate" and added: "The junior doctors should not have behaved like this. An internal probe is being conducted."
The incident has raised serious concerns about patient safety and the conduct of medical staff at the institution. Authorities are expected to take strict action against those responsible.
