"Why did the police thrash doctors? Were they protestors?" Rasukhi asked while she was at the India-Nepal border of Kunauli checkpoint.She had suffered from neurotic problems, according to her son Ramchandra Mukhiya who accompanied her to a hospital in India.
Like her, many patients have been compelled to rush either to India or Dharan for treatment after the doctors shunned services for the fourth consecutive day in the district to protest against the police highhandedness.
On Tuesday, Dhandev Mandal, a local of Mainakaderi VDC-3, headed toward Bhimnagar of India for the treatment of his daughter-in-law.
"We're compelled to travel to India in bullock cart after hospitals, health posts and private clinics closed down due to the doctors' protest," Mandal said.
After being thrashed by the police on Sunday, doctors and other staff halted services at the district headquarters-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital in Rajbiraj for the fourth straight day on Wednesday.
Doctors, condemning the attacks over their colleagues, have also halted services at health facilities across the district.
Doctors and health workers have put forth various demands, including action against the chiefs of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF), guarantee of their security, and compensation and treatment for the injured.
Earlier on Sunday, a team of security personnel led by DSP Narayan Prasad Chimariya beat up the doctors and other hospital staff and used abusive language, according to officials at the zonal hospital.
The hospital, which is often crowded with patients, has worn a deserted look since the last four days.
Upon civil society members' request, agitating doctors and staff have resumed emergency services since Monday by installing a tent on the premises of the zonal hospital.
Earlier, locals who were already affected by the closure of transportation and markets for the last three months, have once again started to face problems after the doctors shut down health services in the district.
Condemning the police's action on the doctors and hospital staff, Sukhram Yadav, coordinator of Nagarik Sanjal, Saptari said that police should not hesitate to apologize to the doctors for their mistakes and request them to resume services.
As per a press release issued by doctor Deepa Yadav, acting medical superintendent of Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, eight doctors and staff were injured after police attacked them on the hospital premises. Police had thrashed senior doctor Teknarayan Mandal and also misbehaved with former medical superintendent Dr Murali Prasad Singh.
Meanwhile, Bhim Dhakal, chief of District Police Office (DPO), Saptari informed that he has already discussed with the hospital authority and the Chief District Officer about the doctors' protest.
"We'll resolve the problems soon," Dhakal said.
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