SUBHASH MISHRA
Deoghar, April 23: All government and private doctors across Deoghar district launched an indefinite strike from 6 am on Wednesday, in protest against the brutal assault on Dr Kundan Kumar and the alleged inaction by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP).
The strike was jointly called by the Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) district chapters.
While OPD services in both government and private hospitals have been completely suspended, emergency services remain operational to safeguard patient welfare.
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Doctor Brutally Attacked Following Infant’s Death
Dr Kundan Kumar, posted at Sadar Hospital, was violently assaulted at his clinic on the morning of April 20 after the death of a critically ill infant. Despite the doctor’s advice to admit the infant, the family failed to act.
In a shocking escalation, over a dozen individuals entered Dr Kumar’s residence by scaling the boundary wall, attacked him with iron rods, inflicted head injuries, and broke his hand.
JSHSA Deoghar secretary Dr Prabhat Ranjan said both JSHSA and IMA had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the administration for the arrest of the named accused. With no arrests made by 6 am on April 23, doctors resorted to indefinite strike action.
Doctors Angered by Police Apathy
Tensions further escalated when a delegation of doctors attempted to meet Superintendent of Police Ajit Peter Dungdung on Tuesday to submit a memorandum, but were reportedly denied a meeting. “We have been forced to take this step for the safety and dignity of doctors,” said Dr Prabhat Ranjan, condemning the administration’s apathy.
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State Association Warns of Wider Stir
The JSHSA state chapter has expressed serious concern over the incident and warned of extending the strike across Jharkhand if the Deoghar administration fails to take decisive, confidence-building action.
State JSHSA president Dr Bimlesh Singh and Dr Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh declared their support for the striking doctors, adding, “It’s unfortunate that while government doctors strive to improve health services in line with state policy, the administration fails to cooperate.”
Junior Doctors Network Vows Action
The IMA’s Junior Doctors Network (JDN) has also condemned the attack and announced plans for a parallel protest. JDN state chairman Dr Sushil Kumar and general secretary Dr Raghvendra Kumar stated that they would submit a memorandum to the Health Minister and Additional Chief Secretary of health, urging immediate action.
