Bhubaneswar, Dec. 12: The Capital Hospital authorities have decided to install closed circuit television cameras to keep tabs on troublemakers following Monday’s violence on the hospital premises.

On Monday, a group of youths attacked a suspect, who had been brought to the hospital for medical examination by Khandagiri police.

More than 30 goons also attacked doctors, patients and their relatives, journalists and policemen and ransacked the hospital casualty ward.

The incident was the fallout of a clash at the Baramunda bus stand that morning.

Though more than two days have passed, the police have arrested four persons involved in the attack at the hospital.

Sources said the attackers were seasoned criminals from Baramunda. Officials said that as the attackers were in large numbers and no one at the hospital knew them, it was hard for them to arrest all those involved.

Twin city police commissioner Sunil Roy said had CCTV cameras been installed at the hospital earlier, it would have been easier for the cops to identify the attackers and arrest them. “We request the hospital authorities to install such cameras. This will help in identifying thugs who make trouble at such public places,” said Roy.

Several such incidents have occurred at the hospital in the past. At times, it is the relatives of patients who create trouble, complaining of negligence on the part of doctors and they go to the extent of ransacking the hospital and attacking medics.

Following the request from the city police, the hospital authorities have identified three strategic places to install these cameras.

One of the cameras will be set up at the casualty ward, which is a spot that troublemakers target frequently. Another camera will be installed in front of the gynaecology and obstetrics ward, where tension erupts at regular intervals. The third will be fixed at the out-patient department.

Chief medical officer of the hospital Sudarshan Dash said they would pay for these cameras from the hospital funds. “Later, we will install more such cameras to keep tabs on troublemakers,” said Dash.

Bus operators at the Baramunda bus stand complained that despite their repeated complaints to the city police to take action, goons frequent this bus stand. On Monday, goons attacked the bus owners and bus staff, injuring at least five persons.

“If the cops had taken stern action against these criminals who are active at the bus stand, Monday’s situation would not have arisen,” said Debashis Nayak, spokesperson of the state bus owners’ association.

Though there is a police outpost at the bus stand, it does not enough manpower. Run by a havildar, the outpost is manned by just three guards.

The police commissioner said they would try to increase the staff strength at the outpost and instructed the local police to take stern action against troublemakers there.