Doctors go on strike in Assam to protest colleague’s murder in tea estate | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Doctors go on strike in Assam to protest colleague’s murder in tea estate

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | BySadiq Naqvi
Sep 03, 2019 09:52 PM IST

Doctors stayed away from work across Assam including in medical colleges, private hospitals and clinics on Tuesday.

Medical services in Assam were affected on Tuesday after doctors began a 24-hour strike to protest the lynching of a 73-year-old doctor in a tea estate in Jorhat district on Saturday even as police arrested eight more people taking the total number of arrested to 30.

Assam Medical College and Hospital Teachers Association and the Assam wing of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) take out a candle light march in Dibrugarh to protest the murder Dr Deben Dutta in a tea estate in Teok.(PTI)
Assam Medical College and Hospital Teachers Association and the Assam wing of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) take out a candle light march in Dibrugarh to protest the murder Dr Deben Dutta in a tea estate in Teok.(PTI)

“We have arrested eight more people and they have been sent to judicial custody today,” said NV Chandrakant, Superintendent of Police, Jorhat.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Satyajit Borah, the president of the state unit of the Indian Medical Association said doctors stayed away from work across the state including in medical colleges, private hospitals and clinics.

“The strike has been complete and several other bodies representing medical professionals joined in to protest the incident. We demand speedy investigations and arrest of all culprits and adequate security for the medical professionals,” he said. Doctors also took part in candle light processions in the state.

The IMA’s Assam unit had decided withdrawal of medical services except emergency services on September 1.

At least two doctors including one working at a tea estate in Golaghat and the other employed with a tea estate in Dibrugarh resigned in the wake of the murder.

“Due to the prevailing situation in the tea garden of Assam, I feel insecure to continue my services at Numaligarh Tea Estate,” wrote Dr Ajoy Kotoky in his resignation letter on Tuesday.

Ravi Baruah, another doctor at a tea estate in Dibrugarh also resigned.

Vivek Goenka the Chairman of the Indian Tea Association said in a statement, “in the wake of such incidents it has become infeasible for estate managements to run the tea garden hospitals” even as he urged that they be taken over by the state government.

In August, the association made a similar demand citing the crisis facing the industry.

On Saturday, Deben Dutta was beaten to death by a mob at the Teok Tea Estate in Jorhat district. The mob was allegedly angry because Dutta did not arrive in time to treat Somra Majhi, a worker who was brought to the tea estate’s hospital with a head injury. The mob turned violent after Majhi’s death.

Dutta was employed as a senior medical officer at the tea estate.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On