Himachal Pradesh: Doctors launch indefinite strike after colleague sacked over assault; demand immediate reinstatement | India News

There’s a video of Raghav Nirula thrashing the patient, but Resident Doctors’ Association says his side of the story hasn’t been considered

SHIMLA/KULLU: The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla — following backing from Himachal Medical Officers Association and RDAs of other medical colleges — announced an indefinite strike from 9.30 am Saturday, demanding immediate reinstatement of Dr Raghav Nirula, who was sacked on the recommendations of an inquiry report for assaulting a patient on December 22.They will be joined by govt doctors in other health facilities across the state. All routine services, OPDs and elective operation theatres will remain closed, but emergency services will continue to function, IGMC RDA announced Friday.CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s promise of a fresh inquiry cut no ice with the doctors, who see Nirula’s sacking as a “mob trial”. There’s a video of Nirula brutally thrashing the patient, who is also seen kicking him while lying in bed, but RDA said Nirula’s side of the story hasn’t been considered, and the termination is unjust.Himachal residents are already facing the brunt of the protest as govt doctors, excluding those on emergency and VIP duties, went on mass casual leave. Long queues were seen at OPD counters of regional and zonal hospitals in Kullu, Dharamshala, Una and Mandi.On Friday morning, representatives of IGMC RDA, HMOA and State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers met the CM with their demands. RDA president Dr Sohail Sharma told mediapersons that Sukhu listened to them in detail, “considered all available evidence” and promised a fresh inquiry.The association alleged that Nirula received “direct threats to his life” and was warned to “leave the country”. RDA called for the immediate revocation of Nirula’s termination order. The association expressed concern over instances of “mob intimidation” inside the hospital, saying safety of healthcare workers was under threat and services were disrupted. It has demanded registration of FIRs and legal proceedings under BNS.“A fresh inquiry should be conducted to find out the exact circumstances that led to this incident. Moreover, govt should inquire into the threats made against the doctor by the patient’s attendants,” said Dr Satyavrat Vaidya, posted at Regional Hospital, Kullu.Former BJP CM and current LoP in assembly, Jai Ram Thakur, on Friday termed Nirula’s sacking a “harsh” move. “The decision to terminate Dr Raghav seems to have been taken in a hurry. A suspension order with a warning would have sufficed,” he said. RDA has also sought legal action over the vandalism of govt property during the December 22 fracas, and steps to end CCTV and security deficiencies at IGMC-Shimla.Ambulance staff stop work over wagesTo add to patients’ woes, around 1,300 employees of 108 and 102 ambulance services also went on a two-day strike across the state on Friday , demanding minimum wages. They staged protests and stopped work, impacting emergency services across Himachal. Protests were held in Una, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Nahan, Chamba, Mandi, Dharamshala and Hamirpur as employees raised slogans against the company hired by the health department to run ambulance services. The employees’ union has alleged the firm isn’t giving them the basic salary ordered by various courts, including HP HC.