📍 Incident in Forbesganj Sparks Tension
The protest by doctors and medicine shop owners in Forbesganj town of Araria district, Bihar, was called off after an Additional District Magistrate-rank officer issued an apology over an alleged altercation with a doctor during a hospital inspection.
🏥 Inspection Drive Turns Controversial
🚨 Altercation During Task Force Action
The incident occurred during an inspection drive conducted by the district task force against unauthorised healthcare facilities. The team, led by the officer, was inspecting private clinical establishments in Forbesganj when an altercation reportedly took place at a clinic, triggering unrest among medical professionals.
👋 Allegations of Assault
🎥 Viral Video Intensifies Outrage
Doctors alleged that the officer slapped the physician during the inspection. A video of the incident went viral on social media, reportedly showing the official entering the doctor’s chamber, questioning him, and allegedly slapping him after he requested that the discussion be conducted calmly. The footage fueled widespread anger within the medical fraternity.
🩺 Medical Associations React
📢 Emergency Meetings and Ultimatum
The district unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) convened an emergency meeting soon after the incident. The Bihar Health Services Association also strongly condemned the alleged assault and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the state government, demanding strict action.
🏬 Healthcare Services Disrupted
🚪 Shops and Clinics Shut Down
In protest, several medicine shops, private nursing homes, and clinical establishments across Forbesganj downed shutters. The shutdown disrupted routine medical services and affected patients seeking treatment in the town.
🤝 Intervention by Senior Officer
🏢 Visit to Doctor’s Clinic
Amid mounting pressure and growing protests, an Additional District Magistrate-rank officer visited the doctor’s clinic on Sunday to address the situation directly and defuse tensions between the administration and the medical community.
🙏 Apology Tendered and Accepted
🗣️ IMA Leaders Present During Meeting
The officer tendered an apology in the presence of IMA district president Dr. Moiz and other association representatives. The apology was formally accepted by the doctors’ body, signaling a resolution to the immediate conflict.
✅ Protest Withdrawn, Normalcy Restored
🩹 Services Resume in Forbesganj
Following the apology, the protest was called off and healthcare services gradually resumed in Forbesganj. The development brought relief to patients and marked the end of a tense standoff between the local administration and the medical fraternity.
