Nagpur Police Commissioner Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singhal held a dialogue with striking MARD doctors on August 22, 2024. The meeting took place at Medical Hospital at 6:30 PM, followed by a visit to Mayo Hospital at 7:15 PM. Accompanying him were Additional Police Commissioner Smt. Ashwati Dorje, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shri Nimit Goel (Zone 3), Assistant Commissioner of Police Shri Vinayak Kote, and Senior Police Inspector Nitin Rajkumar from Ajni Police Station.
At Medical Hospital
During the visit to Medical Hospital, Dean Shri Raj Gajbhiye and the striking MARD student doctors were present. Commissioner Singhal emphasized that local police officers would regularly visit the hospital to understand and address the concerns of the student doctors. He assured them that CCTV cameras would monitor all hospital areas to enhance security and safety, with suspicious activities being closely scrutinized. The police officers will be given proper training to effectively carry out their duties at the medical booth, and the security of the women’s hostels will be reviewed by the medical officers. The Commissioner urged female students to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately to the police. He assured them of the police department’s ongoing availability for direct communication and assistance, with emergency contact available via dialing 112.
Furthermore, Commissioner Singhal instructed that the security procedures at Medical Hospital be reviewed, including an audit of the campus’s security, addressing parking issues, and removing unauthorized vendors and hawkers with the cooperation of the NMC. He also mentioned that he would revisit the premises in a few days to ensure the implementation of these measures. The dark areas around the hospital campus should be adequately lit to ensure the safety of female students.
At Mayo Hospital
Following the discussions at Medical Hospital, Commissioner Singhal proceeded to Mayo Hospital, where he met with Dean Dr. Ravi Chavan and the striking MARD doctors. He addressed the recent tragic incident in Kolkata, stressing the importance of preventing such occurrences through vigilance. He reiterated the need for a security audit at Mayo Hospital, proper lighting in dark areas, and the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the campus.
He highlighted the critical issue of the mortuary and girls’ hostel being located on the same route, urging the hospital management to take preventive measures to avoid any untoward incidents. The Commissioner also mentioned that while the police provide security during crowd gatherings near the mortuary, female students should remain cautious in the area. He emphasized the importance of immediate reporting to the police and quick responses in case of any untoward incidents.
Commissioner Singhal also encouraged the students and staff to report any cases of substance abuse or misconduct among the staff, assuring them that the police department is available 24/7 to address their concerns and ensure a safe environment for all.
