Nurse Allegedly Beaten for Demanding Five Months' Due Salary

A female nurse named Asha Moni (20) was allegedly beaten up at Hajrabari General Hospital in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur when she went to demand five months' due salary. Following the incident, the owners and employees went into hiding by locking most of the rooms of the hospital. Victim Asha Moni is the daughter of Asor Sheikh of Basudebpur area in Melandah municipality. She has been working as a nurse at Hajrabari General Hospital for about two years. Although she received her salary regularly at first, she alleged that she has not received her salary for the last five months.

Asha Moni claimed that when she went to the hospital office located in Hajrabari Bazar on Monday (June 2) afternoon to ask for her due salary, hospital owners Md Sabuj and Md Rafik became furious and beat her indiscriminately with slaps, punches and kicks. She was seriously injured in the incident and rescued with the help of locals. She said that not only was she beaten, but she was also threatened with death. Later, in a physically and mentally distressed state, she filed a written complaint at the Melandah police station that night.

Based on the complaint, the next day (Tuesday, June 3), Melandah police station police inspected the spot. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the police station Shafikul Islam said that preliminary truth of beating the nurse has been found in the investigation. He said, "Legal action will be taken after the investigation." Going there, the police found that important units of the hospital including the operation theatre, reception, and blood collection room were closed. No patients or relatives were seen there either.

Several employees of the hospital, who requested anonymity, said that Asha Moni's allegation is true. "We have also not been getting our salaries for a long time. The owners misbehave when salary is demanded. No one dares to open their mouth for fear of losing their job." Accused Md Sabuj said, "Asha Moni's salary is due for one month, not five months. It was supposed to be given that very day. But while paying some dues of the pharmacy, there was no money in hand. The incident of beating did not happen, there was only a war of words." Asha Moni said, "I only wanted my earned money.

In return, the way I had to face torture, I could not imagine. Now I am suffering from insecurity. I want proper justice for the incident." Locals said that salary-related disputes have happened before at Hajrabari General Hospital. This type of trouble with employees is not new here.