Even as an in-house enquiry committee of SCB Medical College and Hospital today began probing into the alleged harassment and atrocities charges leveled against Urology department head Prof Datteswar Hota, the indefinite cease-work stir launched by junior doctors of the teaching hospital entered the second day.
 

While the deposition of Prof Hota before the committee remained inconclusive on the day, it (committee) recorded the verbal and written statements of all the complainants, who are all senior residents of Urology department, said the medical college principal Dr Siddharth Das adding that the committee is likely to submit its report to the Principal tomorrow. Accusing Hota of harassing and committing atrocities on them, all the 450 junior doctors of the teaching hospital had resorted to cease-work agitation from Monday afternoon demanding his removal.

The striking doctors had alleged that Hota was forcing them to treat and take care of patients in his private clinic located in the city. By misusing his position, power and influence in the corridors of power, Hota had been spreading anarchy in the hospital and if any of the PG students expressed reluctance to follow his diktat, then the concerned student was threatened of getting adverse marks in the practical examinations, the junior doctors alleged saying he had been doing this for past several years.

The striking doctors took out a rally inside the hospital campus today and threatened not to budge an inch from their stand until Hota was removed from the hospital. We will continue our agitation till our grievances are genuinely addressed, said Junior Doctor Association general secretary Dr Phanindra Swain. Meanwhile, the hospital authorities claimed that the healthcare facilities have not been affected till date for the ongoing cease-work strike by the junior doctors. Alternative arrangements have been made temporarily to ensure that the patients do not suffer due to the strike by the junior doctors, said Hospital in-charge superintendent Dr P K Nanda.