Bihar: MBBS students in Darbhanga set pharmacies on fire over denial of meds, 10 injured

In Bihar's Darbhanga, several chemist shops were set on fire by a group of medical students from Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital on Friday. Multiple individuals, including half a dozen policemen, were wounded, and shops and vehicles were disembowelled in fire. According to police, students attacked nearby medical shops after an argument over some issue with shop owner on Friday night.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Krishna Kumar informed, “On Friday night, after an argument between a student of Darbhanga Medical College and shopkeeper at chemist, a group of students set several chemist shops on fire.” According to Kumar, fire at chemist shops was so bad that entire sky turned red and a gas cylinder exploded, shaking entire region. SDPO furr added, “When neighbouring locals opposed act of medical students, students started pelting stones at people, which turned into heavy stone pelting from both sides

Some locals reported that incident flared late Friday night between medical students and shopkeeper who runs medical business. situation became so tense that enrd students sprayed petrol on four shops on campus and set m on fire. At same moment, a medical shop employee was allegedly attacked with a scissor and received bruising to his face, while ar individual received mir burn injuries. People present at spot allegedly reported that during brawl, sounds of firing and bombs were also heard. 

“Soon after getting information, 2-3 fire tenders were pressed into service to extinguish fire," said SDPO. Fire Brigade immediately reached spot to douse off fire. However, a fight-fighter sustained injuries when an LPG gas exploded at one of shops. 

Drug dealers’ union protest

Following incident, on Saturday morning, Drug Dealers' Union protested against attack on chemist shop owners. y jammed road and demanded immediate arrest of culprits. 

“It is clearly visible in CCTV foot that a medical student came to shop and demanded drugs. shopkeeper denied giving same after which an argument started between both parties. student n called his friends and y start beating shopkeeper,” one of protestors on Saturday.

DMCH Principal Kripanath Mishra said, “Due to fear, doctors had fled from emergency services during Friday night, but emergency service has been restored from Saturday morning. We are going to have a meeting and it will be decided wher hostel will remain operational or closed in future.”

Indian Medical Association (IMA) wing of Darbhanga strongly condemned distasteful happening. IMA secretary Dr Amod Kumar Jha, said, "In response to attack on DMCH students and retaliatory violence, re has been a loss of public property on both sides, for which we all doctors express our heartfelt pain and distress. IMA demands from government that prompt action should be taken after proper investigation of incident.”