Junior docs call off strike after HC records undertaking

Hyderabad, Dec 12 (UNI) Junior doctors today called off their 12-day-long strike demanding the arrest of MLA Afsar Khan for allegedly manhandling junior doctors of the Niloufer Children's Hospital here after the Andhra Pradesh High Court recorded their undertaking even as it issued contempt notices to JUDA leaders for 'unruly behaviour' in the premises.

The Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) gave an undertaking to the Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice Ramesh Ranganadhan to call off the strike immediately.

The Bench recorded their undertaking and adjourned the matter to tomorrow to enable the state government to explain its stand on a set of demands made by the doctors for protection of hospitals and doctors.

The Bench also issued contempt notices to JUDA president Dr J V Raju and its spokesperson Dr Praveen for their ''unruly'' behaviour in the court.

When the Bench was hearing some of the representatives of the junior doctors and whether they were willing to call off the strike immediately, Dr Praveen insisted on 'instant action' against the MLA who allegedly manhandled some lady doctors also at Niloufer Hosptial.

When Chief Justice Nazki told him that a person could be punished only after regular trial and no instant action was possible, Mr Praveen wanted to know if protection would be given to the doctors 'after their death.' The doctors, who were witnessing the court proceedings, clapped and expressed joy.

The court viewed the conduct of the doctors as ''unruly'' and ''unbecoming'' of the dignity of the court and directed Advocate General B V Mohan Reddy to initiate contempt proceedings against Dr Raju and Dr Praveen.

The junior doctors were demanding registration of murder case against the MLA, deployment of Special Protection Force (SPF) at all government hospitals and promulgation of an ordinance to book murder cases against people who attacked doctors and nurses.

UNI