Himachal Pradesh: Incident of Ragging reported at IGMCH

Shimla: In a case of ragging at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH), the Principal, Dr. Ashok Sharma has lodged a police complaint on behalf of a Ist year MBBS student , who approached him with a complaint of being harassed by three final year students. The seniors while ragging a few freshers, thrashed those who opposed in the hostel room . The police registered a case of voluntary causing hurt, assault and trespass along with Section 3 of HP Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act.

In his complaint, he stated that Praveen Negi, a Batch-2012 student, had gone to Manish Bhargwa's room and assaulted him while ragging.

The statement also mentioned that the senior students had called some first year students from Raman Hostel of IGMCH for "introduction" around 11 pm on Sunday. The seniors asked them questions, which ended with a clash between the seniors and juniors around 1 am.

Sources stated that the hostel warden was informed about the incident at 2 am in the wee hours of morning. At around 11 am 10 or 12 first year students went to the principal office and submitted a complaint in writing . Dr Sharma who took the thrashing incident of ragging seriously, called a meeting of the students that lasted for three and a half hours and was followed by an Anti Ragging Committee meeting soon after.

The second meeting had both the senior and junior students and their parents in attendance. One of the final year students involved in the thrashing of juniors was issued suspension orders from the hostel, by the principal.

The joint meeting however failed to reach a consensus, leading to Mr. Sharma lodging a police complaint.

In his complaint, he stated that Praveen Negi, a Batch-2012 student, had gone to Manish Bhargwa's room and assaulted him while ragging.

The Principal said parents of students give an affidavit on behalf of their wards not indulging in ragging during their course duration. Ragging cannot be allowed and should not be tolerated, he further stated. The police and the anti ragging committee are trying to reach the bottom of the matter to know the truth, he said, reports TOI.

Aman Kachroo, a 19 year old MBBS student of Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College and Hospital Tanda, in Kangra district had met with death when he was subjected to intense physical thrashing by his seniors.The authorities have ever since taken a very strict stance on ragging in educational institutions.