MIANWALI, June 6: Doctors went on strike on Tuesday on the call of the Pakistan Medical Association, Mianwali chapter, for an indefinite period against the police excesses.

Patients faced problems as all public and private hospitals and clinics were without doctors in Mianwali, Isakhel, Piplan, Kalabagh and Kundian. Only one medical officer was present at the emergency of the DHQ Hospital to attend emergency cases.

At a press conference, PML district president Dr Atta Mohammad said the law of the jungle prevailed in the district owing to continuous police excesses.

He said there was no security or safety to life and property of the common man.

He alleged the DPO had become a tool at the hands of politicians, while policee used to implicate innocent people in cases at the behest of the influential people besides accepting gratification.

Dr Atta gave the example of former tehsil naib nazim Dr Tahir Mahmood who had been implicated in a firing case by the Chakrala police.

During investigation, the police declared him innocent which was confirmed by the SP investigation before the DCO.

But the inquiry officer at the time of his pre-arrest bail confirmation reported him as an accused and ultimately the sessions court did not confirm his bail.

He alleged the police were at liberty to change reports after getting bribe.

He said in these circumstances the PMA had decided to observe a strike till the acceptance of their demands, including termination of the DPO from service, besides an inquiry against him.

When this scribe drew the attention of doctors towards the apathy of patients in hospitals, Dr Atta said one doctor would remain on duty to attend emergency cases.

When contacted, DPO Zarat Kiayani refuted all allegations, and claimed the police were working according to law without any pressure from the local politicians.