(Updated) Police have arrested Parvati Bhul, Ganga Bhula, and Radha Bhul of Dasharathchand Municipality-1 on June 5, on the charges of putting black soot on Dr. Guna Raj Awasthi, chief of District Hospital. He was mistreated by the accused inside the office premises on June 5. They were charged under public offense law, according to the police. The doctor was misbehaved for not providing an ambulance to rescue a patient Hira Bhul, 28 of the same municipality who was suffering from labor pain. On June 6, all the services, except emergency services, were obstructed by the hospital’s staff protesting against the misbehavior to the doctor. The security has been tightened in the district and patients admitted in the hospital are facing difficulties due to the ongoing agitation. Bhuwan Prasad Joshi, the staff of the hospital, said that the agitation will continue until the action is not taken against the guilt.

(Update)--Medical staff in Baitadi went on a strike on Tuesday which led to the closure of health services in the district. Hundreds of patients were affected as the health facilities in the district closed down their services to protest an incident of misbehavior on the head of the District Health Office. Except for emergency cases, all other services were brought to a halt, causing hardship to the people in need of medical help. On Sunday, the District Health Office chief, Dr. Guna Raj Awasthi, was attacked by a woman in his office. The woman barged into Dr. Awasthi’s office, verbally abused him, and smeared soot in his face. The woman was allegedly angered after the District Hospital denied a pregnant woman ambulance service. Police have rounded three women for investigation while the fourth one is large. The medical staff in more than five dozen health facilities of the district started their protest on Monday, demanding security at the workplace and legal action against Dr. Awasthi’s attacker. Meanwhile, officials at the District Administration Office met the protesting health workers on Tuesday afternoon and assured to investigate into the incident.

Update... Human Rights Commission Shows Its Concern on Misbehave Incident The Human Rights Commission has shown its concern on the separate incidents of misbehavior on the doctor at the District Health Office of Baitadi on June 5 and on engineer at Dhangadhi Municipality. Through its press statement on June 5, the commission has drawn its attention to the disruption of services after smearing black soot on the face of Dr. Guna Raj Awasthi and engineer Dij raj Bhattarai. The press release further stated that it has been monitoring from its side on both incidents. The commission has also demanded local administration to initiate a proper investigation and take action against those involved in such degrading behavior. The commission has urged to ensure the security of those involved in the service-providing sector and equally urged political parties, civil society, and media sectors to be accountable and responsible for creating a favorable environment for the service-providing sector.