20 doctors arrested in Rajasthan ahead of strike from December 18
Many doctors disappeared and switched off mobile phones fearing arrest.
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Doctors strike in Jaipur causes long queues of patients at government hospitals. Image credit: Post staff
Jaipur: At least 20 doctors were taken into custody and made to spend Friday night in police lock-ups at different police stations in Rajasthan. The action was taken against them after the organizations of doctors announced that they would again go on strike from December 18.
Police raids were carried out late on Friday. Police arrested doctors from their houses. A total of 20 doctors were taken into preventive custody. They included office bearers of district doctors associations. Five doctors were arrested in Sawai Madhopur, four in Gangapur City, three in Jalore, two in Alwar and one in Pali.
Doctors reached police stations in support of those arrested and demonstrated.
Many doctors disappeared and switched off mobile phones fearing arrest.
Doctors’ strike in November had crippled medical services in Rajasthan, forcing the government to clamp RESMA (the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act). The authorities said that doctors who don’t report for duty will be arrested and a strict departmental action would be taken against them. Nearly 10,000 doctors in the state joined the strike in support of their various demands.
