Sambalpur: Health minister Pratap Jena on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged incident of a child's assault at the district headquarters hospital here.

Jena said: "Had I not been a minister, I would have said that the culprit should be shot dead."

A private security guard, Sujit Kumar Rana, 22, from Batemura village, who was posted in the mother and child health care centre at the hospital, allegedly abducted and assaulted the three-year-old girl while on duty on Wednesday. At that time, the girl's mother was busy consulting the doctor. Police arrested Rana on Wednesday and remanded him in jail custody.

Chief district medical officer Dr K.K. Gupta said they had cancelled their agreement with the security agency named Group 5 Security.

"The condition of the child admitted at the hospital for treatment is fine," he said.

As the child was missing from the scene, her mother started shouting and crying. Apprehending danger, the guard brought her back. The child then narrated the incident to her mother and the hospital authorities. Immediately, the authorities informed the police who arrested the guard and conducted medical examination of both Rana and the child.

The incident has shocked the people of Sambalpur. A delegation of the BJD's women wing, led by Rajlaxmi Pradhan, met district collector Samarth Verma, demanding strong action against the culprit and beefing up the security arrangements on the hospital premises. Verma assured the delegation of taking action against the guard.

Workers of the BJP's Mahila Morcha met Gupta and demanded proper security for indoor patients. Gupta said he had suggested the police to set up an outpost on the premises.