Doctors up in arms against ruling party MLA

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2010/03/09/stories/2010030953610300.htm)
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Doctors up in arms against ruling party MLA


Staff Reporter



The MLA allegedly manhandled a doctorDoctors defer their indefinite strike plan


BERHAMPUR: Government doctors and an MLA of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) are at loggerheads in Nabarangpur district of south Orissa. The members of the Orissa Medical Service Association (OMSA) in Kandhamal district have decided to observe a one-day strike on Tuesday demanding the arrest of the Nabarangpur MLA, Manohar Randhari, and his associates who allegedly manhandled a doctor on duty in the district on Saturday. Earlier, the government doctors decided to launch indefinite strike from Tuesday over the same demand. But now they have deferred their indefinite strike plan. OMSA secretary Bismay Raut said the decision to defer indefinite strike was taken at a meeting of the association members held on Monday evening at Nabarangpur district hospital campus. During the day-long strike on Tuesday, all outpatient wings of government hospitals and health centres would remain closed. But the doctors have decided to attend emergency cases during their strike, Dr. Raut said.
According to sources, the Nabarangpur MLA and his associates had manhandled the doctor posted at Tentulikhunti Community Health Centre (CHC), Brajakishore Giri, on Saturday, during a function organised for distribution of cycles to Asha volunteers. Dr. Giri had filed a complaint against the MLA and his associates. The MLA also lodged a complaint against Dr. Giri. But the doctors of the district got united against the ‘misbehaviour' of the MLA. Owing to threat of agitation by them, the administration and police had to resort to measures of pacification. Till Monday afternoon eight persons, who are supporters of the MLA, have been arrested. But the doctors are demanding legal action against the ‘erring' MLA.
Congress support
The OMSA leaders said they deferred their indefinite strike to provide some time to the administration and the police to arrest the MLA who is now attending the Assembly session. They decided to go on indefinite strike if Mr. Randhari was not arrested. The Nabarangpur district Congress has expressed its support to the agitating doctors of the district.






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