Intern doctors at Chittagong International Medical College Hospital have begun an indefinite work stoppage demanding a safe working environment and punishment for those involved in an assault on one of their colleagues. The strike started on Thursday night, May 21, and by Friday afternoon no intern doctors were providing medical services at the hospital.

According to reports, intern doctor Dr. Ashfaqul Islam was attacked around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday while returning home after his evening duty near the entrance of Chandgaon residential area. He sustained serious injuries, and his mobile phone was damaged during the assault. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital, where fellow interns provided initial treatment. A case is expected to be filed at Chandgaon Police Station naming several ninth-batch students as accused.

The hospital principal, Professor Dr. Muhammad Muslim Uddin Sabuj, said a five-member investigation committee has been formed and action will be taken once the report is received. He added that overall hospital operations remain normal.