NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Sunday suspended its proposed 24-hour statewide strike, which had been called to protest the recent assault on doctors and healthcare workers at a hospital in Dombivli by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre.The Maharashtra IMA’s decision came a day after the Bombay high court cancelled the bail granted to Mhatre and his aides in connection with the incident.The strike was scheduled to begin at 6 am on July 20 and conclude at 6 am on July 21However, the association warned the Maharashtra government that it would launch an indefinite statewide agitation from August 9, coinciding with the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, if the high court’s order is not implemented in “letter and spirit”.“We expect the police machinery and the Government of Maharashtra to implement the High Court’s order in letter and spirit, without seeking any loopholes. If the Maharashtra government fails to pass the required ordinance and fulfil our demands, the healthcare community will launch a statewide, indefinite agitation starting August 9,” the IMA said in a statement.The medical fraternity’s key demands include urgent amendments to the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010, to make its provisions significantly more stringent and ensure offences under the law are non-bailable.Several local medical associations had already announced they would not participate in the strike after the high court cancelled the bail granted to the accused in the assault on doctors at Dombivli’s Shastrinagar Municipal Hospital.The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) also withdrew its strike call following the court’s order.On July 14, a Kalyan magistrate’s court granted bail to Mhatre on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, taking into account his medical condition as he had been hospitalised following his arrest.The Bombay high court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter and stayed the magistrate’s order. It directed Mhatre to surrender by 5 pm on Sunday. The case will next be heard on July 22.The case stems from the alleged July 6 assault on doctors and nurses at Shastrinagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli, which sparked widespread protests and condemnation from the medical fraternity.Mhatre was arrested under Sections 132 and 121(1) in connection with an FIR registered at the Vishnunagar Police Station in Dombivli. According to police, four accused have been arrested in the case so far.
