Youth tries to break into girls’ hostel at IGMC, falls to death

Shimla, August 18

Amid the nationwide uproar over the brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata, a youth tried to break into the girls’ hostel of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla last night. On the fourth floor of the hostel, the youth apparently lost balance and fell to his death. According to the police, the incident took place around 1.20 am. The youth was taken to the hospital where he was declared brought dead by doctors. The police said the youth belonged to Palampur and was studying in a private university in Solan.

Motive not clear yet

• The police said he belonged to Palampur and was studying in a private university in Solan
• Though the motive is not clear yet, sources said he probably knew someone in the hostel

The police have started an investigation into the incident. The youth’s motive behind attempting to break into the girls’ hostel is not clear yet. According to police sources, the youth probably knew someone in the hostel. The post-mortem was conducted this morning after which the body was handed over to the parents of the deceased.

The incident has set alarm bells ringing in the hospital administration, especially given the timing of the incident. Just a couple of days ago, women resident doctors, while protesting against the Kolkata incident, had highlighted security loopholes at the IGMC like shortage of separate duty rooms for women doctors, CCTV cameras and security personnel.

“The entire complex is walled and two security personnel are on duty round the clock. Wardens also live inside the complex. However, in view of the incident, we will have a detailed security review in the college, hospital and hostels,” said Dr Sita Thakur, IGMC Principal. “There aren’t enough security personnel in the hospital. We will look to increase the number of security guards,” she said.

Dr Hari Mohan Sharma, president of the Resident Doctors Association, IGMC, said they had been raising their voice to prevent such incidents. “If healthcare professionals don’t have a safe and secure work environment, patient care will suffer. We need to take all possible measures to make hospital and hostels secure for healthcare professionals, especially women staff,” he said. — TNS