The incident occurred when CSMMU selection committee members were interviewing doctors for promotions. A group of doctors, protesting against promotions being decided by the selection committee, allegedly forcibly entered into the room where interviews were taking place and misbehaved with the committee members.

Ahmed said, “The circle officer caught me by neck and slapped me. We will not tolerate manhandling. We want promotions through screening of previous records. We suspect the vice-chancellor, who is the chairman of the committee, can influence the promotion procedure. We demand her suspension and action against the police officers,” he added.

Addressing mediapersons, Dr Saroj Chooramani Gopal, CSMMU Vice-Chancellor, said: “If doctors continue to hamper medical services, I will request the government to take necessary action against them under ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act).” Asked about the promotion procedure, she said: “The process is according to the University Act and the decisions of the governor and the state government.” Gopal has had lodged an FIR against Ahmed and 20 unidentified doctors.