Panic and chaos erupted at the Civil Hospital in Ferozepur on Monday night after a violent confrontation between two rival groups spilled into the medical facility's trauma ward. The incident, which unfolded in full public view, sent patients, their attendants, and hospital staff scrambling for safety as the premises were vandalized.
Violence Erupts in Hospital Premises
According to eyewitness accounts, the clash began when one group followed their rivals to the hospital's trauma ward. The rivals had arrived for a medical examination following injuries sustained in an earlier scuffle. The situation quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl within the hospital.
The miscreants reportedly attacked each other using whatever objects they could find, including chairs, bricks, medical equipment, and even fire extinguishers. The trauma ward and other parts of the hospital premises were vandalized during the melee. In a deeply alarming detail, eyewitnesses claimed that a couple of the individuals involved were carrying firearms and fired several shots into the air, heightening the terror.
Frightened patients and their family members ran for cover, while hospital staff were forced to lock themselves in rooms to avoid the violence. Videos of the shocking incident were captured by onlookers and later went viral on various social media platforms, drawing widespread condemnation.
Hospital Staff Strike, Demand Security
In protest against the terrifying incident and the breach of hospital sanctity, the medical and paramedical staff of Ferozepur Civil Hospital observed a strike on Tuesday. They staged a dharna to voice their anger and demand immediate measures to ensure their safety and that of their patients.
The Coordination Committee of Paramedical and Health Workers, Ferozepur, issued a strong statement highlighting the vulnerability of healthcare workers. They explicitly demanded better and more robust security arrangements within the hospital campus to prevent such dangerous events from recurring.
Police Investigation and Official Response
Senior police officials visited the hospital on Tuesday to assess the situation. Ferozepur (City) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukhwinder Singh addressed the media, asserting that the law would take its course without fear or favor.
"Any violation of hospital protocol or damage to public property will be dealt with strict action regardless of any political affiliation," DSP Singh stated firmly. He emphasized that damage to hospital property is a non-bailable offence. The police are actively examining the viral video footage from the clash to identify all the culprits involved and have assured the public that arrests will be made shortly.
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and security of public healthcare institutions, turning them from places of healing into zones of fear and violence.
