Bihar doctors continue strike despite rights panel’s threat

PATNA - Bihar’s junior doctors, whose strike for increased stipend entered its 12th day Saturday, have decided to continue the stir despite the state human rights commission’s threat to file criminal cases against them.

The doctors said the strike would continue till an amicable settlement is reached with the Bihar government.

“We are not going to call off the strike till the government issues a notification to fulfil our demands,” Junior Doctors Association leader Dheeraj Kumar said.

The junior doctors’ decision comes despite the state human rights commission’s direction Thursday to the Bihar government to file criminal cases against them and initiate steps for cancelling their registrations.

“The state government is yet to order the concerned authorities to initiate action against the striking doctors following the state human rights commission directive,” an official in the health department said.

Unconfirmed reports said the state health department has ordered the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) to give the striking junior doctors 24-hours notice to return to duty or face stern action.

Emergency services have been hit and surgeries have been postponed in the two hospitals.

An official said the state government has submitted a list to the rights commission of more than 100 patients who have died during the strike.