Correspondents
TINSUKIA: The Tinsukia branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA), while demanding exemplary punishment for the murderers of Dr Deben Dutta, who was brutally killed by a mob at Teok TE on Saturday, observed a peaceful procession in Tinsukia on Monday and complete cease work except emergency for 24 hours from 6 am of Monday to 6 am of Tuesday by the doctors of Tinsukia.
In a joint memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia by the IMA Tinsukia branch and Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA), Tinsukia branch, it was further stated that they would resort to another 24 hours withdrawal of medical services except emergency from 6 am of September 3 to 6 am of September 4 in response to the call given by Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA). The Assam Medical College Teachers’ Association also expressed solidarity with the IMA. A candlelight procession will be brought out in Tinsukia on Tuesday by the doctors and their families.
The doctors serving in tea gardens might resign en-masse if Assam branch of Indian Tea Association (ABITA) does not show positive stand towards the demand of IMA Assam. The IMA Assam State branch in a letter to Abhijit Sharma, secretary of ABITA, has set September 5 as deadline to fulfil its demand pertaining to deployment of professional security personnel and installation of CCTV cameras else the IMA will be compelled to give a call for withdrawal of all doctors from the tea gardens across the State of Assam from September 6.
Meanwhile, the IMA (HQ), New Delhi has sought immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requesting them for proper investigation.
JORHAT: Hundreds of doctors, all being members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Assam Branch, as well as pharmacists, medical and para-medical staff, on Monday shouted slogans demanding justice for Dr Deben Dutta and better security for doctors.
The doctors staged dharna for over two hours in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office against the brutal killing of the Amalgamated Tata Tea Plantation Limited senior Medical Officer Dr Deben Dutta (73) on Saturday at Teok Tea Estate following the death of a garden labourer.
“The medical fraternity is in a state of shock after the brutal assault on Dr Deben Dutta by tea garden labourers, which ultimately led to his death. Doctors all over the State protested today,” said Dr Nilutpol Bhattacharjee, Deputy Superintendent of Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) and member of IMA, Assam Branch.
“In most of the hospitals, including FRU, PHC, Civil Hospitals and JMCH, doctors abstained from duty, excluding the emergency services, while the outdoor department functioned normally,” said Dr Bhattacharjee, who is also the PRO of JMCH.