AGARTALA, Sep 1 (TIWN): A protest erupted at IGM hospital on Monday after a private company, ATSF took over the cleaning staff hiring process and payment issues. The matter turned complicated after one of the cleaning staff was allegedly attacked by the company employee. However, it's not clear who hurled the attack and when exactly the attack took place but the cleaning employees did not allow the ATSF employees to enter IGM hospital when the situation erupted. Centering this incident, tension generated in the IGM hospital led the police force to rush into the hospital premises and talk to the attacked staff. Privatization of cleaning staff at IGM hospital was opposed by the staff, as the new company ATSF may not hire everyone, and also asked for money from the staff for their dresses and other purposes.

During the protests, the employees were allegedly attacked after they tried to stop the ATSF employees from getting into the hospital. Overall, centering these series of incidents, tension erupted at the hospital premises.

The cleaning staff demanded that they had been working as government employee for 25 years and had never faced such situations, but since they were planned to be shifted to the private company, the problem started. At any cost, the employees have now said they won't accept the humiliation and also won't work under a private company.

The whole matter started after the company suddenly took charge of cleaning staff recruitment and salaries. According to the protesters, they fear that not everyone of the 136 employees, who are now working, can continue their jobs and are likely to be fired. 

"They asked us to submit money and forms. Money is for our dress and other purposes. If we have to pay for our dresses and other things, what job do we do?" said one of the agitators.