Karnal doc assaulted by cops: Medics boycott OPDs, demand action

Chandigarh: The stand-off between the govt medicos and the police personnel, on account of the alleged wrongful confinement and assault of a doctor on duty in Karnal, boomeranged into a major controversy with the former refraining from attending the outpatient departments (OPDs) during the day on Saturday.As a result, hundreds of patients visiting the OPDs of various govt-run hospitals and health centres returned without treatment. However, the emergency services and autopsy services remained functional as usual.
Notably, on the occasion of Holi, a Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) doctor on duty at a health centre was allegedly forcibly taken to a police post by a sub-inspector following a verbal argument over the phone.The medicos alleged that, at the time of the incident, the medico was dealing with two rival groups and was preparing their medico-legal reports (MLRs). Sensing trouble, he called the police post in charge for help. After a brief talk, the medicos claimed, the doctor hung up the phone.Claiming that they were in possession of CCTV footage and other relevant evidence, the medicos said the police personnel reached the hospital and forcibly took the medico into custody, and released him following an intervention by higher medical authorities.Karnal SP Narinder Bijarania could not be reached for a comment. The official spokesperson of the Haryana Police, meanwhile, claimed that the officials were in touch with the and the issue would be sorted out at the earliest.The police also accused the doctor of inappropriate behaviour with the sub-inspector and staff on duty, and added that the medico had submitted a written apology before he was released.Efforts are on to sort out the issue, as the police claimed that departmental action had been initiated against the errant personnel. However, the medicos maintained that anything less than the arrest of the police personnel involved in assault and confinement under the new provisions of protection to the medical fraternity was not acceptable.The HCMS Association is planning a future course of action in case the issue is not sorted out by Monday. "As of now, no solution has been reached. We are waiting for the message from our state executive headed by Dr Anil Yadav. Today, the OPDs were not held," said Dr Sonal Gautam, the president of the Panchkula chapter of the HCMSA.MSID:: 129217324 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !