Junior doctors of the state-run Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital in Kamarhati near Kolkata launched a cease-work protest on Friday night after some of them were allegedly beaten up by the family of a patient who died during treatment.

The condition of the patient, a middle-aged woman who suffered from acute breathing problems, was critical, a junior doctor said. Following her death, a mob of around 20 people went on a rampage at the hospital and thrashed nurses and junior doctors who were on duty, he alleged.