Protest ends as govt appoints doctors

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 19

With the district administration assuring that the vacant posts of doctor would be filled soon at the Civil Hospital in Maur Mandi, the ongoing protest in the town came to an end on Tuesday evening.

Talking to The Tribune, ADC (D) Sakshi Sawhney said, “The protest is over now as doctors are being appointed. Besides the SMO, there will be five doctors. Two of them have already joined their duties, while two specialists will join the hospital on Wednesday.”

Earlier on Tuesday morning, a large number of people joined the ongoing dharna over the issue.

Traders in the town responded to the bandh call and shut their shops to join the protest. The stalemate got over after the ADC (D) held talks with a 11-member committee constituted by NGOs spearheading the agitation. The protesters also demanded action against the official who reportedly misbehaved with Baba Devinder Singh Kuttiwal of Baba Nihang Singh Budha Dal, who led the agitation.

On Monday, the protesters had held the hospital staff captive and they were finally let off around midnight. The town residents were angry as the posts of doctors at the hospital were lying vacant for several years and it was functioning with a single pharmacist.