Eight more persons were arrested on Tuesday on charges of being involved in the lynching of Dr Deben Dutta, a 73-year-old physician at the hospital of Teok Tea Estate in Jorhat district.
The police produced all the 8 before the court which sent them to the judicial custody.
With these 8, the total number of arrested people involved in the doctor’s lynching has risen to 30.
Update in the Teok T.E. Case.
8 more accused arrested today, taking the total arrests to 30. We’re committed to ensuring that justice will be served.#StayTogether#StayUnited @assampolice— Jorhat Police (@Jorhat_Police) September 3, 2019
Also read: Lynching impact: 5 doctors of Assam’s tea garden hospitals resign
Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity, the doctors’ fraternity in the State withdrew essential services excluding emergency and took out candlelight processions in the evening on Tuesday.
The doctors of Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) staged protest against the lynching and withdrew the essential services except the emergency service.
Also read: Assam: Protest at Silchar Medical College & Hospital hits essential services
Dr Hemanga Baishya, state secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), State IMA president Dr Satyajit Borah from Tezpur, State IMA finance secretary Dr Rajumoni Sharma from Nalbari as well as former IMA secretary from Delhi headquarters Dr RN Tandon and IMA secretary (headquarter) Dr Ramesh Dutta had a meeting at the Doctor’s Club.
The meeting, which was also attended by other local representatives of doctors’ associations, called for arrest and stringent punishment to the guilty and adequate protection to the doctors.
Dr Baishya told Northeast Now that a resolution would be taken at the September 8 working committee meeting of the IMA at Guwahati after discussions with other doctors’ organisations and on the response of the administration towards their issues.
Dr Baishya further said the doctors all over India have been asked to wear black badges during work.
The Association of Surgeons of India has already sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save their lives.
The Association in a letter has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Modi to the lynching of the ‘conscientious’ doctor and sought an urgent, harsh and visible action to be taken against the perpetrators of such crimes in order to send a strong message that the present government does not tolerate such acts.
The open letter to the PM has been signed by Professor Dr Arvind Kumar, president of the Association and Dr Raghu Ram, vice president (president elect).
In the letter, the surgeons’ fraternity across the country pointed out how vulnerable and insecure the doctors were as cruel, brutal and cold-hearted violent attacks against the medical fraternity across the country was taking place frequently.
“Jorhat can be the starting point for swift delivery of justice as the State is ruled by your party and your instructions will be immediately followed,” the letter said.
“With folded hands, we request you to please consider this issue as a matter of urgent priority and instruct the Assam Government for visible and swift delivery of justice. The Medical fraternity of the whole country is now looking towards you Sir, Modi hai toh Yeh bhi mumkin hai (Sir, if Modi is there then this is also possible),” the letter said.
The protesting doctors at Jorhat were supported by the World Medical Association (WMA), the global federation of national medical organizations.
The WMA while condemning the killing of Dr Deben Dutta said they had supported the IMA Conclave held in February and stood behind all doctors who were facing violence.
The lockout of Teok Tea Estate under Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited continues for the second day on Tuesday.
About 22 persons including tea workers and members of ATTSA deposed before the ADC Subhan Gowala, on the first day of the three-day hearing of the magisterial enquiry being conducted at the Teok Circle Office from Tuesday.
State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta on Tuesday visited the family of late Dutta at their Jagduwar residence.