Consistent demonstrations by MBBS students and junior doctors of the Malda Medical College & Hospital (MMCH) finally prompted authorities to issue a notice on Thursday, stating that "any threat culture" on campus would be dealt with firmness.

The notice signed by Partha Pratim Mukherjee, the principal, Prasenjit Bar, the medical superintendent-cum-vice principal, and Bapilal Bala, the dean of students affairs also says “all undergraduate academic batches and the batch of interns will form an autonomous caretaker body, namely 'The UG students' Council' in the college".

The authorities have also agreed to form a resident doctors' association for house staff, postgraduate trainees and senior residents in a democratic manner.

On Wednesday, students and junior doctors of the medical college had resorted to protests, alleging that certain Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) members were running the show on campus, making it difficult for ordinary students to study or work freely and without fear. The "threat culture" must stop, they had said, adding there was no students' council or resident doctors' association at the college.

"If any student is found engaging in indulgence or encouraging any threat culture or illegal activities, will be dealt with firmly by the inquiry committee or hostel committee or anti-ragging committee as per national medical council norms," reads the notice.

In case of such incidents, the offender might be expelled from the hostel or even debarred from academic activities, authorities have warned.

The notice also says that a proper investigation committee will be formed to inquire into and investigate any unethical happenings or harassment or threats or injustice on any front, whether in academics, professional or personal matters, in which any student or group of students or faculty member is involved.

On Thursday, MMCH authorities also referred to a letter they received from the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad.

"We received a letter dated September 18, in which existing members of the TMCP unit of MMCH have declared that the unit was in function unofficially and without any authorisation from the college administration. Hence, the unit has been dissolved," said principal Mukherjee.