A week after an incident of ragging at Tripura Medical College’s (TMC) Dr BR Ambedkar Teaching Hospital, where an FIR was filed against 18 students along with a hefty fine of Rs 10 lakh and suspensions from hostels, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday cautioned students to steer clear of such incidents. He emphasized that the government is taking a strict stance on ragging.
The issue arose from complaints received from students at TMC, prompting the principal of the society-run medical college, Dr. Arindam Dutta, to initiate an internal inquiry. However, he faced non-cooperation and humiliation from some students allegedly involved in ragging first-year students.
While the matter was also reported to the National Medical Commission’s anti-ragging cell, the principal formally lodged a complaint at the Amtali police station, located near the medical college, under Section 4 of the Tripura Educational Institutions (Prevention of Ragging) Act. According to police reports, the incident occurred on October 21, and the college authorities filed the police complaint on October 25.
Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who was previously a professor and maxillofacial surgeon at the Tripura Medical College, said, “I have seen this news in the media. I have spoken to the authorities at TMC, and they have taken steps as per rules. Ragging is unacceptable. Many legal issues are arising from this. I urge students to refrain from ragging in whatever institution they join, not just TMC.”
He refrained from commenting further, stating that legal aspects are now involved and that the law will take its course. However, he appealed to students to be cautious, as both state and central governments are strictly monitoring ragging incidents. “Ragging should not happen in any institution under any circumstances,” he added.
Meanwhile, a senior police official reported that the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the Officer in Charge of the Amtali police station visited the medical college campus to review the security situation and interacted with authorities, including the principal and chief warden.
Notices were served to four students suspected of being heavily involved in the ragging incident, including three males and one female, who were subsequently interrogated. Police have also seized three mobile phones believed to have been used in the incident.
An inquiry report from TMC was requested to determine whether any physical violence occurred, as the principal’s confessional statements did not indicate any evidence of such violence. Further interrogation of the accused and interviews with the victims are ongoing.
According to college sources, the medical college authorities have imposed a fine of Rs. 10 lakh on the accused, suspended all 18 students involved, and decided to monitor their mobile phones for six months.