Doctors thrashed at NEET protest in Delhi call for shutdown of medical services

Resident doctors protesting against the delay in college allotments following the NEET postgraduate exam alleged on Monday that they had been brutally thrashed and detained by the Delhi Police.

Led by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association, the protest had been going on for several days, prompting police action. On Monday afternoon, 50 doctors, including the chief of the Federation, were detained near ITO in Delhi. Subsequently, in the evening, around 2,500 doctors were reportedly detained at the Sarojini Nagar police station after the police stopped them from marching towards the home of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The detained doctors alleged that they were thrashed by the cops, Indian Express reported.

“There is no respect left for COVID warriors. We are shocked and in disbelief at what happened today. Both male and female doctors were dragged on the road. Several people were injured, some had lacerations from being dragged, others got hit against the barricades, and still other received injuries to their hand when the bus door was closed on it,” said Anuj Agarwal, secretary of the Federation.

Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to social media to share videos of the protest and extend their support to the protesting doctors.

The AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association also extended its support to the Federation, while the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has called for the stoppage of all healthcare services across the country from December 29.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central district) Rohit Meena, meanwhile, claimed that several police personnel had also been injured during the protest. Speaking to media, Meena said, “They came to protest and tried to stop the traffic movement. We tried to stop them and they then started marching towards the Supreme Court. We again stopped them after discussing with them.” According to PTI, the police claim that only 12 protestors were detained.