6 arrested over assault on doctor at Shariatpur hospital
The case names 11 individuals as accused, along with 40 to 45 unidentified people.
Police have arrested six people in connection with the assault on a doctor at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital yesterday (16 May).
Hospital physician Akram Elahi filed a case at Palong Model Police Station last evening, said Rehan Uddin, hospital superintendent and civil surgeon.
The case over the attack on Dr Nasir Islam names 11 individuals as accused, along with 40 to 45 unidentified people, Rehan said.
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The six arrested are Soleman Kazi alias Al-Amin, Jasim Kazi, Abdul Jalil Kazi, Robiul Kazi, Zayeda Begum and Ayesha Moni.
Rehan said a four-member investigation committee has been formed to look into the incident.
He added that the committee's report will clarify the motives behind the attack and related issues.
Plaintiff Akram said doctors are repeatedly being attacked while providing medical services to patients and their relatives.
"However, due to various reasons, justice is not properly ensured in most of these incidents," he added.
Akram demanded exemplary and maximum punishment for those involved in such attacks to ensure doctors' safety.
Hospital sources said Lal Mia Kazi, a resident of the North Bilashkhan area under Shariatpur municipality, was admitted to the emergency department of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital with chest pain around 10pm on Friday night.
After receiving primary treatment, his condition deteriorated and he died around 12:30am yesterday.
Following his death, relatives allegedly vandalised the emergency department, accusing doctors of negligence, and attacked duty doctor Nasir Islam.
CCTV footage from the hospital shows a group of people chasing and assaulting the doctor before dragging him outside the hospital premises.
Dr Nasir sustained head injuries in the attack and was later rescued by police before being sent to Dhaka by air ambulance for advanced treatment.
Human chain demands arrests
Meanwhile, doctors, nurses, hospital officials and employees formed a human chain this morning at around 10am in front of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital protesting the attack on on-duty doctor Dr Nasir Islam.
Participants in the human chain demanded the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the incident.
Speakers described attacks on doctors as "alarming" and warned that healthcare services could be disrupted if the safety of medical professionals is not ensured.
They also demanded immediate legal action against the attackers and cautioned that a larger programme would be announced if arrests were not made within 24 hours.
They also called for enhanced hospital security, including deployment of Ansar members and the establishment of a police outpost within the hospital premises.
