10 injured in lathi-charge on protesting nursing staff

At least 10 persons were injured when police resorted to lathi-charge on a protest rally against the BJP government's move to bring Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under PPP mode outside Swasthya Bhawan here, a spokesman of Rajasthan Nursing Association (RNA) said.
It was a peaceful demonstration by hundreds of nursing staff outside the Health Directorate Building against the Raje government's move to "privatise 90 PHCs" and attempt to remove the nursing staff, RNA state President Narendra Singh Shekhawat told reporters.
"First the PHCs would be handed over to the private players and then Community Health Centres (CHCs)," he claimed.
The Jaipur Police Commissioner's office claimed that the protesters turned violent and pelted stones on security personnel. To disperse the unruly mob, police resorted to mild cane charge.

So far no injury was reported to the police, while RNA President claimed the injured were taken to nearby hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and PCC President Sachin Pilot condemned the attack on nursing staff alleging it was a "highhandedness" of police administration to disperse protesters.
In separate press statements, both the Congress leaders opposed the BJP government's move to privatise PHCs to "please private players" in medical sector.