Biratnagar: A gang last night beat up five doctors of Koshi Zonal Hospital, Biratnagar, accusing them of neglecting a patient.

The gang beat up the doctors for allegedly neglecting a priest who was admitted with a kidney ailment. As the patient was in a critical condition, the doctors had reportedly referred the patient to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences for treatment.

"The gang led by Rauniyar beat up five doctors led by night shift in-charge Dr Niraj Thapa," Dr CP Upadhyay, medical superintendent at Koshi Zonal Hospital said, adding, the gang seized five mobile phones from the doctors. The gang also manhandled the doctors at emergency department, Upadhyay added.

Meanwhile, a group of doctors of Koshi Zonal Hospital met CDO Shashi Shekhar Shrestha and Morang police Chief Devendra Subedi and threatened to launch phase-wise stir if the guilty were not punished within 24 hours. They also demanded that hospitals be declared a peace zone. Doctors said they would not join their duties until security was guaranteed.

"The police arrested Rajendra Rauniyar and Satya Paudhar on suspicion of their involvement in the incident," Morang DSP Bidhya Nanda Majhi said, adding, "Investigation into the incident is underway."