Lawyers, doctors not ready to back down, traffic diverted

Prayagraj: The ongoing tussle between lawyers and doctors in Sangam City seems to have no sign of subsiding as both the groups on Thursday continued their protests and sit-ins throughout the day.

Ironically, the medical services at SRN hospital escalated, disrupting emergency and outpatient services 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 the groups who refused to back down.The junior doctors were agitated over the registering of the FIR against doctors following the Wednesday incident, while lawyers were adamant not to call of their protest till the accused doctor was arrested.Doctors were also not in mood to roll back their agitation at the SRN hospital and sought protection, apart from quashing of the complaint and healthy working conditions.Hospital doctors had resumed the 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.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 doctors’ protest and sit-in. Patients were spotted running from one building to another for medical care. Majority of patients moved to other govt or private hospital.The tussle was brewing between doctors and lawyers 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 paralysed health services. It was reported that the injured lawyer, undergoing treatment at a private hospital, was referred to Lucknow for better treatment.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.Meanwhile, traffic police authorities have diverted the traffic from west city area to civil lines via station road and old city areas. The vehicular movement on high court flyover road was completely restricted in view of 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“.