SDH controversy: Bhaderwah burns effigies of legislators in protest

28 November, 2012

On the 75th day of the dharna for restoration of SDH Bhadarwah, a protest rally was organized Wednesday by the BHBF that culminated in the historical Seri Bazar after passing through various bazars of the town. Effigies of local MLA and MLC were burnt amidst pro-demand and anti-government slogans.

WHILE ADDRESSING the gathering before burning of effigies, convener of Bhadarwah Hospital Bachao Front (BHBF) Ranbir Manhas explained the cause. "MLAs and MLCs are public representatives who are supposed to fight for the genuine public cause. But in our case they have shown no interest in solving our problems caused due to shifting of SDH Bhadarwah from its central location. Actually what we could not achieve after 75-day-long struggle could have been solved had our MLA and MLC sat on dharna in the well of the assembly or outside the secretariat for just couple of hours."

Manhas added that people of the town have been suffering due to this issue and it was unfortunate that 'the local MLA and MLC didn’t feel it necessary to come to the rescue of their own people'.

Referring to the dialogue between deputy commissioner and representatives of BHBF, the Front convener said that the former had offered to post two doctors from 10am to 4pm and deployment of one ambulance to shift patients from old hospital to new hospital, which was rejected by the Front.

When he asked the gathering whether the offer should have been accepted, hundreds of hands were raised saying “no, no". We want full restoration of the SDH,” they shouted. While explaining Front’s position, Manhas said that the government instead of presenting vague proposals, must come out with specific solutions. “The government must tell us what type of hospital would function in old building because without any nomenclature, anything would be temporary. The government can shift the doctors and paramedics as soon as the dharna ends up," added Manhas.

We will shift the dharna only when specific name and nomenclature is given to the old hospital so that men and, machinery are properly sanctioned according to the specified norms, Manhas said. He declared that the dharna of the Front will continue as long as the issue remains unresolved no matter how much time it takes. He also declared that Front’s next target would be to burn effigies of local MPs if the matter remains unresolved. A large number of women besides prominent civil society members also participated in today’s protest.