2,600 protesting doctors boycott work in Bihar

Health services in Bihar were partially affected after nearly 2,600 government doctors under the banner of Bihar State Health Services Association boycotted work for 24 hours from 6 am on Tuesday. The doctors are protesting the killing of their colleague Bhuddhadev Singh at Gopalganj jail on Sunday night.

Doctors turned up at hospitals but refused to do any work, BSHSA general secretary Ajay Kumar and secretary Ranjit Kumar said. In Gopalganj, the emergency and general wards wore a deserted look.

The protesters demanded that the state government provide a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased, besides taking action against those involved, including jail officials, in the killing.

The state government should also immediately enact a law - Medical Professionals Protection Act - on the pattern implemented by 12 other states. They should also ensure adequate security to doctors on duty, the protestors demanded. The family members of the deceased, however, have demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the killing.

Expressing shock at the incident, Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi said the state government would table the Medical Professionals Protection Bill 2011 in the coming monsoon session of the state legislature. The state government would also ensure speedy trial of the case, he said, adding the government would try to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

The doctor, Buddhadev Singh, brother of ex-member of Parliament, Satyadeo Singh, was called inside Gopalganj jail by inmate Ranjan Yadav, who was suffering from chicken pox on Sunday. On entering the cell, a group of convicts brutally assaulted Buddhadev Singh.

The injured doctor was first admitted to a government hospital, but was then taken to Patna Medical College Hospital after his condition deteriorated. He was declared brought dead at PMCH the same evening.

An FIR has been registered against Ranjan Yadav and six other inmates, police said. Taking serious note of the incident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had ordered a high-level probe by state home secretary Amir Subhani.

Subhani had submitted a report to the chief minister on circumstances leading to the death.