The ongoing tussle between lawyers and doctors in Sangam City shows no signs of subsiding as both groups continued their protests and sit-ins throughout Thursday. Ironically, medical services at SRN hospital escalated, disrupting emergency and outpatient services and leaving patients stranded and struggling to access medical care. Police forces and administrative officials remained watchful throughout the day, making futile attempts to pacify both groups who refused to back down.
Junior Doctors Agitated Over FIR
The junior doctors were agitated over the registration of an FIR against doctors following the Wednesday incident, while lawyers were adamant not to call off their protest until the accused doctor was arrested. Doctors were also not in the mood to roll back their agitation at the SRN hospital and sought protection, apart from quashing the complaint and ensuring healthy working conditions.
Hospital doctors had resumed suspended healthcare services on Wednesday afternoon. However, the medical fraternity was incensed once again after a police complaint was filed against unidentified doctors on Wednesday night.
Hospital Services Paralyzed
On Thursday, a day after the incident, doctors at SRN hospital forced the closure of both the cash counter and the registration counter. Patients arriving from the city and adjoining districts faced severe distress following the doctors’ protest and sit-in. Patients were spotted running from one building to another for medical care, with the majority moving to other government or private hospitals.
Background of the Clash
The tussle between doctors and lawyers has been brewing since Wednesday morning when Jagriti Shukla, an advocate of the high court, was brought in for treatment after sustaining injuries in a road accident. Her fellow advocates alleged that doctors at the trauma center physically assaulted her, whereas the doctors maintained that the physical altercation was initiated by the attendants accompanying the injured lawyer.
The local administration on Thursday made a futile attempt to open registration of patients, but agitated doctors forced its closure and paralyzed health services. It was reported that the injured lawyer, undergoing treatment at a private hospital, was referred to Lucknow for better treatment.
Lawyers Continue Sit-In
Meanwhile, lawyers continued their sit-in protest near Eklavya Crossing on Kanpur Road in connection with the clash that erupted between doctors and lawyers on Wednesday morning. The lawyers maintained that the protest will continue until the accused are arrested. Police officials have been attempting to pacify the lawyers since Wednesday, but the lawyers remain adamant in their demands.
Traffic Diversions in Place
Traffic police authorities have diverted traffic from the west city area to civil lines via station road and old city areas. Vehicular movement on the high court flyover road was completely restricted in view of the lawyers’ agitation and protest.
DCP (City) Maneesh Sandilya told TOI, “Police remained mobile throughout the day to maintain law and order and also made attempts to pacify both the groups.” He added, “Traffic has been diverted through old city and station road.”
