Over 200 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and support staff, held a peaceful protest march in Kullu on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The action followed a mob attack on the Regional Hospital premises on June 26 and 29, which left medical staff in fear.
Mob stormed hospital, threatened nurses
The protest was organized by the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA), Kullu Branch, in coordination with the Indian Medical Association (IMA). According to Dr Rajender Kohli, President of the Kullu District Doctors Association, an estimated crowd of 2,000 to 2,500 individuals illegally entered the hospital after being incited through social media following a maternal death at the facility.
“They barged through the gates and entered the hospital premises. They sat in the garden area where patients and attendants rest and began shouting slogans. We were called murderers and butchers. Our nurses were threatened and they demanded that the doctors and nurses concerned be brought before them,” Dr Kohli told the media. He added, “What was the meaning of bringing them before 2,000 people? They wanted mob lynching.”
Demands include FIR and permanent security
The memorandum submitted to the administration includes several demands: immediate registration of an FIR against the social media accounts and individuals who incited the mob, a cyber forensic investigation, permanent police security at the hospital, and protection of doctors from arbitrary administrative actions driven by mob pressure.
Dr Kalyan Thakur noted that private practitioners and all categories of healthcare staff joined the protest. “A mob of 3,000 people came to our hospital and disrupted work. We don’t know who allowed them and how it was permitted. The Supreme Court guidelines were not followed,” he said, emphasizing that healthcare providers are living in fear.
Social media criticism and counterclaims
Meanwhile, social media saw messages criticizing the doctors’ protest. Some members of the public claimed that the demand was only for action against the concerned doctor and nurses, and that no physical harm was caused. It was also alleged that previous FIRs had been filed against the doctor in question, and that many aggrieved persons had raised concerns about the doctor’s behavior and treatment.
Administration assures action
The district administration assured the doctors that the matter would be taken seriously and forwarded to the appropriate authorities. The HMOA has also sought intervention from the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, urging immediate steps to restore institutional order and protect patient lives.
The doctors have warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to a breakdown of health services across the region due to the deep-seated fear among medical staff.
