MNS warns of agitation over locked toilets, no drinking water at Chandrapur General Hospital

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has expressed strong displeasure over basic facilities at the General Hospital in Chandrapur. The party has demanded that toilets and drinking water at the hospital be kept available round the clock, day and night.

The MNS said a large number of patients come to the hospital every day from far-off places, and their relatives stay on the premises day and night. According to the party, the hospital's public toilets are kept locked at night, causing severe hardship to patients, women, the elderly and relatives.

Following the complaint, MNS office-bearers went to the hospital themselves and inspected the toilet area. They found the doors shut and padlocked. Angered by the sight, the office-bearers had the locks opened on the spot.

The issue of drinking water also came up. The MNS said clean, safe water is essential on the hospital premises at all hours, but there is no water facility there. As a result, patients' relatives have to go outside to find water.

Calling both problems serious, the MNS has sought a response from the hospital administration. The party has put forward four broad demands: that the hospital's public toilets be kept open 24 hours a day; that drinking water be arranged on the premises round the clock; that the toilets be cleaned regularly; and that people's difficulties be resolved.

The MNS has warned that if the work does not begin within the next four days, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will launch an intense mass agitation.

MNS district secretary Kishor Madgulwar, Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (Manavise) district vice-president Kuldeep Chandankhede, taluka vice-president Pravin Shevte, division president Raju Devangan and Pravin Bhimanwar were present during the inspection and the announcement of the agitation. Several MNS workers also came along.