Assam Doctor Beaten to Death: 26 Detained, IMA Calls for a Strike

73-year-old Dr Deben Dutta was assaulted by garden workers following the death of a person in the estate hospital.

Image for representational purposes.

(Photo: IANS)

Healthcare services in Jorhat district of Assam were affected on Monday, 2 September, as doctors in government and private hospitals stayed away from their work to protest against the killing of an elderly doctor by a mob on Saturday, officials said, PTI reported.

However, services in the emergency and the Outpatient Department (OPD) were out of the purview of the agitation, the officials said.

Monday's agitation in Jorhat will be followed by a state-wide stir on Tuesday when doctors will withdraw their services from 6 am but the emergency will remain open, President of the Assam State Branch of the Indian Medical Association, Dr Satyajit Borah said.

The Teok Tea estate doctor, 73-year-old Dr Deben Dutta was assaulted on Saturday by garden workers following the death of a person in the estate hospital. Dutta later died at the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH).

“Somra Majhi (32), a temporary worker at the Teok Tea garden, was taken ill and admitted to the garden hospital. Dr Deben Dutta was away on lunch break and the nurse administered preliminary treatment. Later on, the doctor came back but the patient unfortunately died.”

NV Chandrakant, Jorhat SP to <i>The Indian Express</i>

A total of 26 people were taken into custody from the Teok Tea Estate where Dutta was attacked, police sources said, PTI reported.

Doctors Call for a 24-Hour Withdrawal of Medical Services

Doctors in Assam, on Sunday, had called for a 24-hour 'withdrawal of medical services excluding emergency' across the state on 3 September.

Borah said that the assault on Dutta is the third major incident of physical attack on doctors serving in tea gardens and the number of such incidents is increasing.

"As a mark of protest against these incidents and failure of the government to provide security to the doctors and convict the culprits, doctors have decided to withdraw services for 24 hours," PTI reported quoting Borah.

Doctors in JMCH, Civil Hospital, family referral units, primary health centres abstained from work.

The medicos also stayed away from duties in private hospitals and did not attend consultation chambers, the officials said.

In Jorhat town, doctors, pharmacists and para-medical persons held a dharna in front of the deputy commissioner's office demanding justice for Dutta.

The agitating doctors also submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioners across the state demanding a law to ensure security of the doctors.

IMA Demands Punishment; Health Minister Condemns The Incident

The IMA demanded that the government ensures exemplary punishment of the culprits and beef up security measures such as installation of surveillance cameras in all health establishments including those in tea gardens.

“We hope that the doctor fraternity is not compelled to take more severe steps,” Borah said.

Meanwhile, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has condemned the incident, describing it as “unfortunate”.

"We will not tolerate anybody taking the law into their hands and the district administration has been directed to take immediate action against the culprits," the minister said on his Twitter handle.

The Assam Valley Consultative Committee of Plantations Associations and Tea Association of India have also condemned the killing of the doctor.

Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Deepak Kedia has visited the tea estate to take stock of the situation.

Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni Aparanji Korati has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the assault of Dutta, who was working in the hospital after his retirement without remuneration. Also, Additional Deputy Commissioner Subhan Gowala has been asked to submit the report in seven days.

(With inputs from The Indian Express and PTI)