KOKRAJHAR, Dec 11 � Mass flight of doctors from civil hospitals in Kokrajhar continues in view of heavy extortion demands from extremist outfits. According to sources, as many as 28 doctors left the RNB Civil Hospital yesterday with the number reaching 30 today. Almost all doctors from the Gossaigaon Civil Hospital have gone away due to the prevailing threat perception.
According to sources, phone calls were received from unknown destination on several occasions by the superintendents of RNB Civil Hospital, Kokrajhar to pay an amount of Rs. 1 lakh each by the doctors of this hospital on the deadline yesterday. As a consequence, the matter was brought to the notice of the district police and civil administration for relief. Security arrangements have been tightened and the police administration has offered to provide PSOs to the doctors. But this has been of no anvil as the doctors have received repeated threats and ultimately left the hospital from Kokrajhar en masse.
Meanwhile, in Gossaigaon, a similar situation prevails as a result of which as many as five doctors of Gossaigaon RNB Civil Hospital fled away today to get rid of extortion threats.
Talking to this correspondent the doctors of RNB Civil Hospital have made their stand clear to get assurance from all political and non-political bodies including extremist organisations not to harass doctors and provide them full protection to restore services.
On the other hand, talking to this correspondent Reo Reoa Narjihary, EM Health department, BTC has said the matter is most unfortunate and serious. However, he said that the recent matter has not been brought to the knowledge of his department and the enmasse withdrawal of services by the doctors has suddenly created a pathetic situation for ailing patients. He is trying to take up the matter at appropriate levels and also trying to get services of around five Doctors from Guwahati at RNB Civil Hospital besides engaging retired Doctors of Kokrajhar in this hospital to tackle the emergency situation, he informed. At the same time, he has appealed to the extremist groups to abstain from harassing doctors who are dedicated to the service to mankind.
Meanwhile, the ABSU took out a protest rally in Kokrajhar today, condemning extortion demands and abduction by extremists in Kokrajhar and stated that the extortion demands to professionals in services like medical service and teaching will never be tolerated.
Lorence Islary, president of Kokrajhar unit of ABSU, said that the matter is serious for 30 doctors left RNB Civil Hospital. ABSU expressed its willingness to extend all possible cooperation with the administration if necessary for safety and security of the doctors and also appealed to the doctors to join services.
At the same time, the ABSU has blamed the government for neglecting the law and order situation in Kokrajhar and also demanded transfer of high level police officials from Kokrajhar. Besides, other political and non-political organizations have condemned the extortion demands served on doctors by extremists resulting in the crisis in medical services.
Meanwhile, the NDFB (P) has denied its involvement in the acts and urged the administration to take strong action against the culprits involved in the extortion demands on doctors.
On the other hand, the Kokrajhar district police sources revealed that operation has been intensified to nab the culprits while police pickets has been set up near hospital and doctors� quarters.
