SURAT, Nov 24: Health Minister Ashok Bhatt on Tuesday asked authorities of New Civil Hospital of Surat to direct former president of Junior Doctors Association Pritu Dhalaria to vacate resident doctor's hostel within 36 hours.The decision has been taken following a number of complaints against Dhalaria for his alleged involvement in anti-social activities on the campus, Bhatt said in a statement late on Tuesday.Additional Medical Education Director Dr Suresh Shah has been asked to inquire into allegations against Dhalaria and the extent of spread of anti-social elements on the campus, the statement said, adding that Bhatt had taken similar action against three resident doctors of Vadodara's SSG Hospital recently.Bhatt said stern action would be taken against elements involved in criminal activities on the campus after police investigation. Such activities were a blot on the institution and anybody found sheltering anti-social elements would be punished, he added.Meanwhile, Dhalaria was taken under custody by the Umra Police under Section 107 (security for keeping peace in other cases) and 151 (arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences).Two of his supporters were arrested by the police on Monday for beating up a medical student, who asked them to return the money they had pooled to purchase a television set. Dhalaria, who was JDA president in 1996, was not named in the police complaint.However, many students and members of JDA submitted an application to the police demanding that action be taken against Dhalaria for his alleged anti-social activities.It maybe mentioned that Dhalaria was removed from JDA presidentship as he misled other members into believing that the State government, especially Health Minister Ashok Bhatt was not in favour of increasing stipend. The strike prolonged even after the State government had accepted the demand and was called off immediately after his removal.
