SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, May 8: The presence of home guard personnel at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, intended to ensure security, has ironically become a weak link in protecting junior lady doctors on campus.
Despite their deployment at key hospital locations, there have been repeated instances where bystanders have physically harassed female doctors and managed to flee the scene unchallenged.
On Tuesday evening (May 6), a bystander physically assaulted a junior lady doctor on the first floor of the hospital and escaped. Although three home guards were officially deployed in the area, only one was present during the incident. She attempted to catch the accused but failed.
Reportedly, one of the deployed guards had taken leave without prior permission from the security supervisor. Currently, home guard personnel from Chatra and Chaibasa are assigned to RIMS.
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Third Assault in Nine Months
The May 6 incident marks the third such assault on junior lady doctors at RIMS in the past nine months. On August 27, 2024, another junior female doctor was physically harassed by an outsider inside a hospital lift at around 8:30 AM. No home guard was present to intervene or apprehend the attacker.
Following the August incident, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) staged a protest and expressed deep concern over the security arrangements. In a letter to the RIMS director, the association demanded the appointment of a professional security agency to ensure the safety of doctors.
Home Guards Themselves Involved in Assault
In a more alarming case, on the evening of September 24, 2024, home guard personnel—responsible for providing security to doctors—reportedly assaulted junior doctors and MBBS students on the campus badminton court. The JDA filed a formal complaint with the hospital administration and Bariyatu police station.
Tuesday’s incident has further intensified concerns. JDA office bearers believe the assault could have been prevented had the full security detail been present on duty.
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Meeting with Authorities; Action Promised
In response to the recent incident, a meeting was convened on Wednesday evening involving the RIMS additional superintendent, home guard supervisor, Bariyatu police station in-charge, and JDA office bearers.
JDA representatives said that it was decided in the meeting that the home guard supervisor will now carry out regular inspections of personnel on duty. It was also assured that disciplinary action would be taken against the guards who were absent on May 6.
The JDA delegation included President Dr. Ankit Kumar, Executive President Dr. Abhishek Laguri, Secretary Dr. Om Prakash, Patron Dr. Jaideep Kumar, and members Dr. Ranvijay, Dr. Praveen, Dr. G. Shukla, Dr. Ujala, Vice-President Dr. Abhishek Hansdak, Dr. Indradeo Kisku, Dr. Archana Kumara, and Dr. Kumari Kirti.
