The relay hunger strike by junior doctors at the NBMCH. (Kundan Yolmo)

Siliguri, May 30: The Darjeeling district authorities today promised action against illegal stalls on the premises of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital following a relay hunger strike by junior doctors.

The assurance was given by the additional district magistrate of Darjeeling, Tapan Kumar Barman, at a meeting with representatives of the Junior Doctors’ Council, the medical college authorities and police officers.

“We have sought information from the NBMCH authorities on all the unauthorised stalls on the premises. As soon as they provide us with details, we will take legal action,” Barman said.

The doctors had begun the relay hunger strike in front of the principal’s office yesterday after two junior doctors leaving the paediatric ward had been attacked by drunken local people on Wednesday night.

“Six-to-seven drunk persons were standing near the gynaecology ward. Without any provocation, they attacked the two doctors leaving the paediatric ward after duty. We had lodged an FIR with the police outpost here soon after the incident and two men were arrested the next morning. But they were let off on bail in the afternoon. We launched the relay fast yesterday to demand strict action against the culprits,” Susovan Pradhan, the assistant secretary of the doctors’ council, had said before withdrawing the strike.

“There were frequent incidents of local people and relatives of patients harassing the doctors and students. The reason is that people are allowed to roam around the hospital without any restriction even at night. A lot of unauthorised stalls have come up on the compound. Several people hang out frequently at some of the stalls where alcohol is sold. These should be removed first to ensure the security of the doctors,” said Pradhan.

Barman said a decision had also been taken to increase the security around the paediatric and gynaecology wards which were vulnerable to such attacks.

“The ADM has agreed to our demands and we have decided to withdraw our hunger strike,” said Pradhan.