A security guard and a cleaning staff member were injured in a clash at Ranni Taluk Hospital in Pathanamthitta late Saturday night. The incident occurred around 11 pm in the casualty wing of the hospital.

According to hospital authorities, the clash broke out after a person accompanying a patient who had been brought to the hospital following an attempted suicide allegedly assaulted the security guard.

The casualty wing was crowded at the time, with several patients and bystanders waiting for treatment. “As the patients and bystanders surrounded the doctor, the place became crowded. Following this, security guard Prakash asked them to either maintain a queue or for the bystanders to wait outside. The bystander in the attempted suicide case got into an argument with the security guard and assaulted him,” said Dr Parvathy, superintendent of Ranni Taluk Hospital.

A cleaning staff member who was on duty at the time was also injured in the clash. According to the hospital superintendent, police have detained two people in connection with the incident.

The injured security guard is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital. Ranni police officials are recording his statement. Further investigation into the incident is underway.