800 KEM docs go on strike

Around 800 resident doctors of King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital went on au00a0strike till 9: 30 amu00a0today, after which they were to meet authorities and demand for protection of doctors.u00a0This comes after a group of around 25 people barged into the municipal hospital's post-mortem center last night and beat the doctorsu00a0due delay in the release of the body of their relative.
The strike may be extended and doctors of other municipal hospital will also be roped in if their demands are not met.
Last night, at 10 pm, the agitated relatives ofu00a0Vasudev Kotre (76)u00a0attacked Dr Sudhir Jadhav and Dr Sunil Kumar. Jadhav, who sustained head injuries, is recuperating in the hospital.

Dr Anil Dudhbhate, president, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, said, "Our people were beaten by the relatives for no fault of their own. There is a procedure that has to be followed. The relatives did not want the post-mortem to be done and hence they beat us. Even I was injured in the process and two doctors have been admitted to the hospital, as they have sustained fractures."

Dr Sanjay Oak, dean, KEM, confirmed the incident. He said, "There was no delay in releasing the body. The procedure does take time."

A resident doctor, on condition of anonymity said, "It is outrageous that a doctor is be beaten in the hospital premises in front of security guards. We have no one to protect our lives. We are very angry and insecure after this incident. We will demand for assurance that we will be protected in future if such incidents occur."

A Bhoiwada police official said, "Five people have been arrested in this regard. No action has been decided yet." However, the police is looking out for 20 others involved in the incident.

The arrested:
Ganesh Adivarikar (28)
Rohan M (24)
Satish Tandav (28)
Amarnath Paraskar (29)
Yogesh Salaskar (29)

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