RAJBIRAJ: Protesting the police brutality and beating of health professionals at the Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital, all health facilities including private ones were shut here in Saptari district on Tuesday also. All health services, except emergency, have been remained closed in the district since November 22.

The health practitioners have put forth three-point demand which includes suspension of the security officials responsible for the beating, guarantee of security to the health practitioners, and provision of treatment and compensation to the injured.

Dr Deepa Yadav, the acting medical superintendent of the Zonal Hospital, said that the health facilities were shut after police barged into the hospital and beat the health practitioners.

Locals, however, have been affected as the hospitals and other health facilities remained closed for third day. They pointed out the need for immediate resumption of the health services.

Patients who need immediate medical attention have been left at lurch as ambulances or other vehicles are also not available to take them to other hospitals in Dharan, Biratnagar or other cities, according Than Singh Bhansali of Civil Society, Saptari.

He stressed that the agitating side should immediately hold talks with the local administration and resume the health services.

The chief of District Police Office, Bhim Prasad Dhakal, said his office was aware about and taken the agitation at the health facilities and disruption of services there seriously. Initiatives have been taken to resume the health services, he said.