After Amit Shah's assurance, IMA drops protest plan

Following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, the Indian Medical Association has called off its plans for symbolic nationwide protests against the incidents of health workers being attacked.

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called off its plans for nationwide protests, after Home Minister Amit Shah assured them of providing safety and security.

Earlier in the morning, Shah through a video conference had appealed to representatives of the IMA to call off their strike.

As a mark of protest against the violence on doctors and health workers amid the COVID-19 crisis, the IMA had asked doctors and hospitals across India to light candles.

The IMA also warned of observing 'Black Day' on Thursday if no action is taken by the government.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had a talk with IMA doctors via video conferencing and assured them to provide security.

Read:Withdraw your scheduled protest: Home Minister to IMA

Shah also appealed to them not to even carry out a symbolic protest as proposed by them.

Health Secretary Preeti Sudan, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and a few other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

There have been reports of doctors being abused, beaten and denied entry into residences.

Families of at least two doctors, who succumbed to the novel coronavirus in Shillong and Chennai, had faced opposition while performing their last rites as the locals claimed that burying them in their localities may lead to the spread of the infection.

(With inputs from PTI)