Patna, May 25: Frightened by frequent cases of kidnapping and threat from criminal gangs, doctors in Bihar are seeking arm licences and security from the government and private agency as well. Bihar unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Director General of Police D P Ojha and drawn attention of Chief Minister Rabri Devi regarding the fear pyschosis of the doctors and conveyed their request to clear their arms licences early and to provide them security, general secretary of the IMA Shahjanand Singh said. Noted neuro-surgeon Dr Ramesh Chandra, who was rescued from the kidnappers' clutches on Wednesday after four days of captivity, has also sought services of a private security agency for his safety. "Though I have not received any fresh threat from the anti-socials, I want to take precaution," he told a news agency today.

IMA, Singh said, has also approached a Mumbai-based private agency to provide security guards to the doctors and was short listing names of leading medical practitioners who needed the service. Deputy Inspector General of Police and spokesman for Bihar Police Rituraj when contacted told newspersons that it was not possible for the state police to provide security to a huge number of doctors and other professionals in the state. "We are short of manpower and it is not possible to provide security guards to such a huge number of professionals."

"But whenever we get a complaint from legislators, doctors or any other professionals we look into the matter on an urgent basis and provide security guards after evaluating the threat perception of the complainant," he said.

He said he had already ordered the SPs and other senior police officers to clear the applications of doctors and other professionals for arms licence on priority basis.

Bureau Report