Several temporary staff members of Manjeri Government Medical College Hospital have been booked by police after they attempted to highlight two months of unpaid salaries during Health Minister Veena George’s visit on August 12.
The employees gathered on the hospital premises to draw the minister’s attention to their financial difficulties. However, tensions flared when activists from the CPI(M) and DYFI, who were reportedly accompanying the minister, allegedly tried to prevent the staff from approaching her. The scuffle led hospital authorities to file a complaint.
Based on a petition by Medical College Principal Dr. K.K. Anil Raj, police registered a case under BNS sections 189 (2), 191 (2), 192 and 190, alleging that the staff created a commotion and ignored instructions from hospital officials, potentially causing a conflict situation.
The move has drawn backlash, with Youth Congress activists staging a protest march to the principal’s office demanding withdrawal of the complaint, calling it a bid to dismiss temporary workers. Local leaders, including hospital development committee member and Manjeri municipal vice-chairman V.P. Firos, alleged that the employees had peacefully conveyed their grievances and the commotion arose only after CPI(M) and DYFI workers attempted to push them away.
Defending the decision, Principal Dr. Raj said the staff had the right to express concerns but should not have done so in a manner that disrupted official proceedings or risked public disorder.
