Alarmed over kidnapping, doctors in Punjab seek more protection

AMRITSAR: The kidnapping of a medical practitioner has once again reminded the beginning of dark days of militancy in the state when gangsters had started gaining ground over security personnel.
The incident has shocked the medical fraternity to the core but instead of depending entirely on the government for providing a protection cover, majority of medical professionals here prefer making their own security arrangements and avoiding moving out in odd hours.
Consultant, Gastroenterology and Herpetology Dr Gurbilas said that the kidnapping of a doctor had sent chill down the spine of medical fraternity . Having braved a murderous attack last year, Gurbilas said since then he had stopped driving car by himself and had hired a driver as well as a private gunmen. “There is very little a doctor can do for his own security” added he.
Notably Dr Manish Sharma who runs a hospital at Ajnala was accosted by gangsters in disguise of patients and wanted him to give a prescription near Rajasansi and kidnapped him on Thursday night . He was set free only after his wife allegedly paid a ransom of Rs 7.5 lakh.
Stating that recent incident of kidnapping of a doctor had once again reminded ghastly days of terrorism, Cardiologist Dr Arun Chopra said doctors had to take call during emergency even in odd hours but in an increasingly becoming insecure environment they would have to think twice. He added that the hospital managements should come forward in extending security cover to doctors.
A leading medical professional who didn’t want to give his name for security reasons said that doctors were already on the radar of extortionists, kidnappers and other gangsters. Despite police claims of curbing crime , he said the crime was on rise and the recent incident was its example. Stating that doctors like him were very apprehensive about their security, he said effective policing and private security was the only answer to their safety.