Interns at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital went on an indefinite strike early Wednesday after a clash among interns, students and relatives of a patient over an alleged assault on a fellow, leaving six people injured.

The clash broke out around 12:45am and continued till 1:30am at the hospital's emergency department and its adjoining premises.

The injured included interns Taspianul Haque and Reza Niloy, Abrar Hossain and Zahid of the city's Baluchar area, a fourth year medical student and another patient's relative whose identity could not be confirmed immediately.

Witnesses said several relatives brought a child patient to the emergency department at around 12:30am where an argument broke out with an intern doctor, leading to a scuffle.

Medical students alleged that the patient's attendants called in additional people from outside who assaulted their fellow intern.

When other interns and students rushed to the scene after being informed, clashes erupted between the two sides, leaving at least six people injured.

The incident also caused panic among patients and their attendants at the emergency department.

Rakin Hannan, an intern at the hospital, said one of the two injured interns was in critical condition while the other was kept under observation.

Three relatives of the patient who were also injured are receiving treatment at the hospital, he added.

Police from Kotwali Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident.

Tension persisted for some time as police attempted to bring the situation under control.

Several students were seen carrying sticks and stumps during the unrest.

Officer-in-Charge Khan Mainul Zakir of Kotwali Police Station said additional police haave been deployed at the hospital to prevent any further untoward incidents."The matter is being investigated," he said.

The hospital's Intern Doctors' Forum and the general students of Osmani Medical College issued separate statements around 2:30am condemning the ‘assault’.

The Intern Doctors' Forum demanded the immediate identification of those involved, their exemplary punishment, adequate security for doctors and healthcare workers, and effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The forum announced that interns would continue their indefinite work stoppage until their demands are met and a safe working environment is ensured.

The general students of Osmani Medical College also declared an indefinite academic shutdown, saying the programme would continue until workplace safety is guaranteed.