IGIMS nursing students withdraw agitation after talks with officials

Patna: Nursing students of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) on Friday withdrew their protest following intervention by the health department and the institute administration. A faculty member was also removed from teaching duties after allegations levelled against her by students.Earlier, the agitation, which began on Thursday, intensified on Friday as nursing students staged a sit-in outside the institute gate, disrupting movement on the campus.The students alleged physical and mental harassment and accused the college administration, including principal Anuja Daniel and vice-principal Dr Rupashree Das Gupta, who also served as examination coordinator, of discriminatory behaviour.According to the students, they faced bias in examinations and evaluation. They also alleged that one student attempted suicide following prolonged mental harassment.Holding placards and raising slogans, the students warned they would intensify the agitation if their demands were not addressed.Sources said that following discussions with the protesting students, several corrective steps were initiated on Friday, including removal of Das Gupta from teaching responsibilities.IGIMS deputy director and official spokesperson Dr Vibhuti Prassan Sinha said a fact-finding committee had been constituted soon after the protest began.Dr Sinha said the administration held detailed talks with the nursing students in the presence of health department officials, after which the students agreed to withdraw the protest.He said the institute had decided to include two students from each academic year in the decision-making body to improve communication and transparency.Dr Sinha added that the administration had assured students that issues related to stipend payments would be resolved within seven days, while pending batch regularisation matters would also be addressed.The protest had triggered concern within the institute as students accused the administration of unfair treatment and demanded immediate corrective measures.Although the immediate standoff ended after assurances from officials, the allegations raised by students are expected to remain under scrutiny through the fact-finding process initiated by the institute.