Summary:
A convention and protests were marked by the presence of some senior doctors of the city, who are rarely seen during bandhs or protests. After holding a meeting at the hall, the doctors, bearing black flags, bands and ribbons then proceeded for a protest march to BMC Chowk. A delegation of 15 doctors, including district IMA president Dr Harish Bhardwaj, later submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police, demanding strict implementation of the Hospital Protection Act passed in the state in 2008. With the 1,500-member Jalandhar unit being the largest IMA unit in the state, doctors demanded bringing of a Central act for the protection of medical service persons and Medical Service Institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss of property) Act. They also demanded rigorous imprisonment for those threatening, abusing or assaulting doctors, for three to seven years under various provisions of the IPC..