Doctor Assault in Dombivli Triggers Statewide Protests, Accused Surrenders

The alleged assault on doctors and nurses at a civic hospital in Dombivli has triggered protests across Maharashtra and intensified demands for stronger protection of healthcare workers. The incident has developed into a statewide confrontation between medical organisations and the Maharashtra government, with resident doctors and nurses announcing demonstrations while warning of a larger agitation if strict action is not taken against those responsible.

The main accused, Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, surrendered before Thane police on Wednesday after three of his associates were arrested in connection with the case. Later in the evening, Mhatre complained of high blood pressure and other health problems and was admitted to Thane Civil Hospital. The developments came as pressure mounted on authorities to take action over the alleged attack on medical staff.

The Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors welcomed Mhatre’s arrest and announced that resident doctors at all government medical colleges and hospitals would wear black ribbons on Thursday while continuing to provide medical services. The association said the protest was aimed not only at the latest incident but also at seeking long-term measures to prevent the rising number of attacks on healthcare workers across the state.

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The Maharashtra State Nurses Association announced a three-day black-ribbon protest beginning July 10 and warned that the agitation would be intensified after July 13 if authorities failed to take concrete action. The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association and the BMC MARD also condemned the incident, sought Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s intervention and called for a zero-tolerance policy against violence in hospitals.

In separate memoranda submitted to the chief minister, doctors’ and nurses’ organisations described the alleged assault as an attack on the dignity of healthcare workers and the functioning of public hospitals. They demanded immediate arrests, strict action under the Maharashtra Medicare Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, stronger security at hospitals and better protection for doctors and nurses while performing their duties.

Maharashtra State Nurses Association president Dr Manisha Shinde said attackers appeared to have little fear of the law and called for strict punishment to prevent similar incidents. She urged the chief minister to treat the matter seriously, pointing out that doctors and nurses were already working under pressure while treating large numbers of patients despite staff shortages. Healthcare organisations have warned of an indefinite agitation if authorities fail to introduce concrete measures to ensure the safety of medical workers.

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