Protest over fake medical degrees and funds fraud in Birni ends on Day 13 after activist falls ill
Giridih: An indefinite protest outside the Birni Block Headquarters was temporarily suspended on its 13th day after a key demonstrator fell critically ill. Two villagers from Simradhab had been staging a sit-in against the Birni Community Health Centre, alleging that several health workers were employed using fake qualifications and that there were major irregularities involving sixty-three lakh rupees of public funds.
The protest was put on hold when the physical condition of one activist, Dinesh Turi, began to deteriorate rapidly on Sunday. Supporters rushed him to the local health center, where diagnostic tests revealed his random blood sugar level had spiked to a dangerous 544. Due to the high medical risk, the doctor on duty immediately referred him to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi for advanced treatment. Following this emergency, Simradhab village head Dilip Das stepped in to halt the demonstration so the community could focus on Turi’s recovery.
Despite the temporary pause, the striking villagers and their supporters have made it clear that their campaign for accountability will continue. Local anger is directed at senior district officials, including the Giridih Deputy Commissioner and Civil Surgeon, who are being accused of inaction. The chief Medical Officer of the health center, Dr. Sakib Jamal, had already declared the qualification certificates of two auxiliary nurse midwives invalid and raised serious doubts about seven other workers, yet no disciplinary action was taken.
Furthermore, an official two-member investigation team led by Dr. Sachin Kumar had previously uncovered major financial discrepancies in the presence of local block officials, but authorities allegedly suppressed the final report. While high-ranking officials and political leaders tried to negotiate an end to the strike earlier, the villagers rejected their empty promises and have vowed to resume their protest until the fake staff are removed, the stolen money is recovered, and legal action is taken.
