Bihar doctors on a day's strike to protest lynching; DM, IG Prisons removed

MEDICAL FACILITIES AFFECTED AS 2600 DOCTORS ON 24-HOUR STRIKE

CM ACCEPTS FAILURE OF ADMINISTRATION

MAY 31, 2011, Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today met the family members of deceased Dr. Buddhadev Singh. The CM further accepted the failure of jail administration and observed that the District Magistrate didn’t perform his duty well. 

Medical services in the state suffered toady as government doctors under the banner of Bihar State Health Services Association (BSHSA) have boycotted their duties for 24 hours starting 6 am today. About 2600 doctors are protesting the killing of Dr. Bhuddhadev Singh at Gopalganj jail on Sunday night. 

The doctors are also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the bereaved family from the government, besides all those including the jail officials allegedly involved in the killing be executed through speedy trial. The demand also includes enactment of -- Medical Professionals Protection Act on the pattern of 12 other states, including Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile the state government has transferred Gopalganj District Magistrate Pankaj Pal and Inspector General (Prisons) Ramesh Lal. Police is questioning all the 7 accused about the incident inside the Gopalganj jail. The government has also set up an inquiry committee headed by Home Secretary Amir Subhani.

The doctor, Dr. Buddhadev Singh was beaten to death in broad daylight on Sunday because he refused to issue fake medical certificates to three prisoners. The prime accused, identified as Ranjan Yadav and six others serving life terms for kidnapping and murder, pushed Dr Buddhadev Singh down a flight of stairs and beat him to death.