On Monday, in protest of an incident of misbehavior with hospital staff by a drunkard, the doctors and medical staff boycotted OPD services in Uttarkashi district hospital.

Troubled doctors alleged that a few days after a doctor was attacked by the mob in Dhauntri village of Dunda block over false accusations of a local woman, a drunkard misbehaved with medical staff and created commotion in the district hospital on 22nd June. But, instead of punishing the offender, the police released him by imposing a nominal fine on him.

The doctors further alleged that such incidents are rising which has led to insecurity among doctors and medical staff. Doctors have threatened to continue protests until police takes strong action against the man who was accused of misbehaving with hospital staff and guarantee safety of medical staff from other anti-social elements.

The protest was called off only after the administration and the police department guaranteed the doctors of fulfilling all their demands.

Dr SP Kudiyal, district president of a local medical association, said that these incidents have raised insecurity among medicos and has affected the self-esteem of doctors, who work in the hills despite facing various challenges. Administration and police department should take serious and necessary steps for the safety of medical staff to avoid such occurrences in future.

Ashish Chauhan, Uttarkashi district magistrate, also said that they have directed police department to tighten the security in the hospital campus and to appoint Jawans inside hospitals during night hours.