IMA threatens nationwide bandh on March 13

This was bound to happen if Maharashtra government did not take steps to withdraw repressive measures.

The Indian Medical Association on Tuesday threatened to organise a nationwide "medical bandh" on March 13.

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This was bound to happen if Maharashtra government did not take steps to withdraw "repressive" measures and reach a settlement with the striking doctors within 24 hours.

"We are giving a 24-hour notice to Maharashtra government to remove all repressive measures on striking doctors and find out a solution to the problem," Dr Sanjiv Malik, National President, IMA, told reporters.

"We have already written to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) on mishandling of the situation by the Maharashtra government," Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Secretary of IMA, said.

They said if the state government failed to initiate measures to ameliorate the grievances of the striking doctors in 24 hours from now, an agitation would begin all over the country with doctors wearing black bands and resorting to dharnas and conferences.

They said the doctors' body was also planning to meet the Prime Minister on the issue and an all India strike would follow on March 13th.

"The Indian Medical Association is deeply concerned about increasing incidences of assaults on the medical profession", they said.