RAJSHAHI, April 21, (V7N)— Tension flared at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RAMECH) after intern doctors allegedly beat up an army member and his brother, sparking a 24‑hour strike and protests that disrupted patient care.

The incident occurred Monday evening when Army Lance Corporal Sohel Ali (29) and his brother Joy Ali (24) confronted intern doctors over alleged negligence following the death of their mother, Juliara Begum (50), admitted to ward 36. Witnesses said the situation escalated when Sohel began recording video on his phone, prompting several interns to attack the brothers. Sohel sustained facial injuries and was confined in a room for several hours before being handed over to police.

Hospital ward master SM Mosharraf Hossain filed a case naming Sohel and Joy as accused, alleging they obstructed doctors from performing duties. Police later arrested Joy and sent him to court, while Sohel was handed over to the army for trial under martial law.

Intern doctors, claiming repeated harassment by patients’ relatives, announced a 24‑hour strike Tuesday morning and staged a human chain outside the hospital’s administrative building. The strike left patients without intern doctors in wards, causing widespread suffering. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Shankar Kumar Biswas said he was not aware of full details.

Meanwhile, Rajshahi city witnessed another crisis as mass evictions displaced more than 5,000 people from five neighborhoods in Ward 17. Around 750 families, who had lived on vested property land for decades, saw their homes demolished Sunday in Barabangram, Chakpara, Baralipara, Raypara, and Pabnapara. Residents said they received no prior notice and were shocked when bulldozers arrived under police and Advocate Commission supervision.

Local heirs of Abul Hashem and Mainul Haque claimed ownership of 76 bighas of land and initiated eviction proceedings under High Court orders. Residents, however, argued they were unaware of the case and accused authorities of inhumane treatment.

The eviction sparked protests, with residents blocking highways for hours. Advocate Commissioner Nasir Ahmed was injured in clashes and is undergoing treatment. Many families, left homeless, took shelter in mango orchards with livestock and belongings.

Victims expressed despair. “Are we Rohingya? Don’t we have the right to stay?” said Ruby Begum of Pabnapara. Another resident, Rina Begum, asked where she would go after her house was demolished while she was cooking.

Local social worker Shamim Raihan condemned the eviction without rehabilitation measures, calling it inhumane. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Arif Hossain said the district administration was not directly involved, as the matter is pending in court.

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