MANSEHRA, Nov 15: Hundreds of protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Thursday in protest against the absence of doctors and paramedical staff from their duties in the civil hospital, Shinkiary, when some injured students were taken to the hospital.

At least 20 male and female students of various schools were injured when their pick-up plunged into the River Siren due to the collapse of a suspension bridge.

The injured were taken to the hospital where medical staff was not available to treat them. The protesters raised slogans against the hospital administration and blocked the highway for two hours.Police foiled an attempt of the protesters to attack the hospital’s building.

Some top officials of the health department reached the hospital and assured the protesters an inquiry against the hospital staff.

The injured students were later taken to the District Headquarter Hospital, Mansehra, from where three of them were referred to the Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad.

Meanwhile, Executive District Officer health, Mansehra, Jawed Khan Tanoli, has ordered an inquiry after suspending the medical officer of the civil hospital, Shinkiary, Dr Shamsur Rehman, and three dispensers.

Sources said district nazim, Mansehra, Sardar Mohammad Yousaf, had ordered an inquiry into the incident of the bridge collapse.—Correspondent