Biplab Kumar Deb showcauses BJP leader for assaulting doctor

With resentment brewing across the state against the alleged manhandling of a doctor by a BJP leader, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has served him a showcause notice to explain his action.

The offending BJP leader Arjun Debnath is the president of Sabroom Mandal committee in south Tripura.

The doctors' associations, including BJP supported doctors' organisation, came out in protest and demanded exemplary punishment for the offender.

Despite the criticism and protests, the police has not booked Debnath, except recording his statement which has further aggravated the resentment.

According to reports,Sabroom BJP Mandal President Arjun Debnath assaulted and beat Dr Dipal Mitra with shoes while the medic was on duty at the Srinagar Primary Health Centre in Sabroom on April 1 last.

Debnath barged into the OPD where Mitra and one of his colleagues Ayan Bhattacharjee were attending the patients. When Mitra protested Debnath's unwarranted entry inside the chamber and his impolite behaviour, Debnath turned violent and assaulted him in front of others and hit Mitra with his shoes.

Debnath in his defense alleged that the doctor behaved indecently when he tried to enquire about a patient.

"It is expected that a visitor is at least offered a seat in a public office. Instead, the doctor charged me for unauthorized entry into the chamber when I tried to enquire about the status of a poor patient. He didn't even show minimum courtesy to someone who was just asking about a patient's health. His rudeness made me lose my calm," said Debnath.

Immediately after, Mitra informed the incident to the sub-divisional medical officer, after which a specific complaint was lodged with police. The Officer-in-charge (OC) of Sabroom police station met the victim doctor but did not register FIR against the accused leader, in-charge of the hospital Pritam Das stated.

However, police claimed that the accused was summoned to the police station and his statement was recorded. The investigation has been started and appropriate action would be taken in due course, police said, adding,"We are verifying the statements of both the parties and also investigating the facts. Law will take its own course."

Condemning the incident BJP Chief Spokesperson who is also a Physician, Ashok Sinha said the shameful practice of assaulting doctors in the hospital has become common in Tripura in the past few years. Despite enforcing specific laws to protect the medicos in work place, unfortunately society does not respect it and police also does not take strong actions against the accused.

"In no case, a doctor or any professional is expected to be attacked physically by the citizens or any political leader. The state BJP chief has issued three days show-cause notice to the offender and certainly the party will take appropriate action against the accused. If the mindset of people changes and law takes tough stand, such disease would cure which has developed over the years," Sinha added.