Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors has welcomed the arrest of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who, along with his associates, attacked doctors on duty, including a woman doctor, at Thane hospital; however, it stated that it will continue with the black ribbon protest slated for tomorrow.

The doctors’ association said that the healthcare workers, including doctors, will observe a black ribbon stir across the state in all government hospitals and medical colleges to protest against ‘growing violence’ on the medical fraternity.

The power-drunk corporator was arrested by Thane police today after an FIR was lodged against him and three others. All of them were taken to a government hospital for medico-legal examination, after which due legal procedure will be followed to bring them to justice. “

“This timely arrest sends a strong message that violence against doctors and healthcare workers will not be tolerated. The state-wide one-day protest will continue as planned. This protest is not only against this individual incident but also against the increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers across the state and to reiterate our demand for a safe working environment for all doctors and healthcare professionals,” the MARD said in a statement.

The shocking incident happened at Shastri Nagar hospital in Dombivli on July 6, when the corporator, flanked by his supporters, barged into the hospital and thrashed doctors, accusing them of negligence and dereliction of duty.

The corporator and his goons were caught on camera beating and punching the doctors and medical staff at the hospital, leading to huge uproar and outrage among the public as well as the doctors’ fraternity.

A case was registered against Mhatre and others after the video of the assault circulated on social media and went viral. He and three other accused were taken into custody from their residence on Wednesday.

According to hospital officials, the chaos and violence happened when the doctors advised relatives of a newborn to shift the baby to another facility, citing unavailability of beds in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital.

–IANS

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