Political conspiracy behind ongoing doctor's strike: Naresh Agarwal

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Aggarwal on Tuesday alleged political conspiracy behind doctor's strike that has entered day four in Uttar Pradesh.

Aggarwal accused opposition parties of making negative utilisation of the ongoing scenario in the state for political gain.

"We have appealed to doctors yesterday to call off strike, but now I think that there is some political conspiracy behind the strike because of the election season as opposition parties is making full utilisation of the situation", said Aggarwal.

Doctors are demanding release of around 36 junior doctors arrested by the police as they went on solidarity strike called by their colleagues after a clash with a legislator and were engaged in brick-batting with the security forces.

The stand-off started when a patient approached legislator of Samajwadi Party leader Irfan Solanki for his treatment, but doctors refused to pay heed to the recommendation. Later, Solanki walked into the hospital and a heated argument followed with the doctors. Some doctors allegedly attacked the legislator, resulting in head injuries to him.

As a result, police baton charged the doctors, and many junior doctors were arrested in raids conducted in hostels after the incident. This led to resentment among the doctors, and they called for strike in few hospitals which took a toll on five lives.

The doctors also accused the police of planting firearms in the hostels, and victimising medical students.

The protesting doctors have refused to end their agitation, until their peers are released from police custody. An investigation has been ordered by the provincial government in the matter.