A complaint has been filed against 42 people, including Mohiuddin Roni, a key organiser of the health sector reform movement, for allegedly attacking a human chain programme organised by doctors, nurses and staff of Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Jewel Chandra Shil, the hospital鈥檚 ward master, submitted the complaint with the Kotwali model police station late Thursday night.
Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali model police station, said that they received a written complaint regarding the attack on the hospital employees. 鈥楩urther legal action will be taken in this regard subject to investigation.鈥�
Among the accused, 12 have been named, with the remaining 30 listed as unidentified individuals.
Named in the complaint are Mohiuddin Roni, 30, Rakin, 25, Sunan, 24, Sifat, 23, Shamim, 25, Al Musa, 26, former anti-discrimination student leader Sifa, 22, student activist Dayan, 21 鈥� who had reportedly fallen ill following a hunger strike at the hospital 鈥� content creators Kafi, 30, Md Siam alias Nyabhai, 38, HM Abul Khair, 50, and hospital broker Nurun Nahar, 40.
According to the complaint, around 11:30am on Thursday, hospital staff organised a peaceful human chain in front of the hospital gate, demanding a fair and safe working environment. Allegedly, the accused arrived armed with knives, iron rods, hockey sticks, and other makeshift weapons, and launched an attack on the participants.
It is claimed that Mohiuddin Roni struck cleaning worker Rafiqul Patwari on the head with an iron rod, causing severe bleeding and injuries.
Several others were also attacked, including office assistant Parvez, whose right hand was fractured; Selina, who suffered an elbow injury; office assistant Rabbi, who sustained a fractured wrist; and cleaning worker Shamis, who sustained injuries to the hand.
Other victims are cleaning workers Hasan, Shakib, Zakaria Rubel, office assistant Faisal Rabbi, Sumrat Mondal, and lift operator Shakil.
Furthermore, it has been alleged that female nurses and nannies were subjected to sexual assault, with their outfits torn during the violence.
People of the area rescued the hospital staff from the assailants. After regrouping to resume their human chain, the victims were once again threatened by the attackers before the latter fled the scene.
A total of 11 injured staff members were later admitted to the hospital for treatment.
In response to the incident, the hospital authorities have formed a five-member investigative committee, led by deputy director Dr SM Moniruzzaman Shaheen, as per an order from the hospital director, Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir.
The committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within seven days.
Meanwhile, Mohiuddin Roni held an emergency press conference on Thursday afternoon at the Ashwini Kumar Hall premises on Barishal Sadar Road.
He claimed that hospital staff had attacked their peaceful protest and hunger strike.
He further alleged that the incident was instigated by the director general of the Health Department.
Despite the violence, Roni affirmed that the health sector reform movement would continue.
