Protest at Banihal Hospital Over Doctor Shortage: BJP Leader Takes Dramatic Stand

A senior BJP leader on Tuesday caused a commotion at a hospital in Banihal, Jammu and Kashmir, protesting an alleged shortage of doctors. Mohd Saleem Bhat, who led the charge, locked the main gate and staged a sit-in, briefly disrupting services at the sub-district hospital.

The incident unfolded with Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mohammad Naseeb arriving on the scene with a police team, striving to restore order. After nearly half an hour of commotion, Bhat, a previous assembly election candidate, unlocked the gate following officials' assurances to communicate concerns to higher authorities.

Bhat asserted that the hospital has faced persistent doctor shortages, pointing to various absentees among its staff. Despite claims from hospital authorities that patient care remained largely unaffected, Bhat remains determined to press for resolution.

(With inputs from agencies.)