GUWAHATI, Sept 3 - In the wake of the brutal killing of medical officer Dr Deben Dutta by an irate garden mob, doctors in tea estates of the State are on a resignation spree, expressing apprehensions over their security.
Meanwhile, the Assam Branch of Indian Medical Association has threatened to withdraw all doctors from the gardens if security measures were not put in place.
Doctors in at least six gardens, including two owned by Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited that also owns the Teok Tea Estate where the incident took place on August 31, have tendered their resignations.
Industry officials told The Assam Tribune that while one of the doctors, who resigned, stated that he �felt insecure to continue his services due to the prevailing situation�, another questioned the silence of the Asam Chah Mazdoor Sangha and other tea workers� bodies.
Medical practitioners across the State today began a 24-hour strike to protest the killing of the 73-year-old doctor. Demonstrations were held in many health institutions. Candle light processions were also taken out.
In a letter addressed to the Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association, the Indian Medical Association Assam branch demanded deployment of professional security personnel in all garden health institutions and barracks for those personnel. It also demanded installation of CCTVs cameras in the garden hospitals. If there is no written assurance from the garden managements, the IMA said it would give a call for withdrawal of the doctors from the gardens from September 6.
On the other hand, the World Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the Teok garden incident.
The Association of Surgeons of India has also written a separate letter to PM Modi seeking �swift and visible delivery of justice.�
