The assault on a doctor and two employees at Community Health Centre (CHC) Kralgund has triggered protests by medical professionals and health workers in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Demonstrations were held at CHC Kralgund and Sub District Hospital (SDH) Langate, with employees demanding stringent action against those involved in the attack.
Notably, on Sunday, a group of miscreants allegedly assaulted a doctor and two staffers inside CHC Kralgund after a patient with a hand injury was brought in by family members. Police later arrested two individuals in connection with the incident.
Aggrieved by the assault, doctors and paramedical staff staged demonstrations at both CHC Kralgund and SDH Langate, holding placards and shouting slogans against the attack. Protesters said such incidents create fear among healthcare professionals and severely affect patient care.
“Doctors cannot work under constant threat. If hospitals become unsafe, it will directly impact public health services,” one protesting doctor told the news agency Kashmir News Trust said.
The protesting employees demanded that the government ensure foolproof security in hospitals and enact strict measures to protect medical professionals. They also called for exemplary punishment to the accused so that similar incidents are not repeated in the future.
Meanwhile, police reiterated that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated. Officials confirmed that the two arrested accused have a criminal history and legal proceedings are underway.
The protests disrupted normal functioning at the health facilities for several hours before employees resumed duties, warning that they may intensify agitation if adequate safeguards are not provided. [KNT]
