According to officials, Dr Arpan Vishwas was attacked while providing medical services at a health camp in a village under the Hardi Bazar area on Tuesday. The assault was allegedly carried out by a group of local antisocial elements, triggering widespread anger among officers and medical staff. Dr Vishwas sustained injuries, though officials did not disclose details of his condition.
In response, CMOAI officials and other departmental officers gathered at the regional general manager’s office premises in Gevra on Tuesday, wearing black armbands as a mark of protest. The demonstration was intended to highlight growing insecurity among officers and to press for immediate corrective measures. A large number of officials participated, expressing solidarity with the injured doctor.
Protesters said the attack was not an isolated incident. They pointed out that an earlier case involving the assault of L&R department officer Shikhar Singh Chauhan had also failed to result in effective action against the accused. Officials alleged that repeated lapses in enforcement had emboldened miscreants and created an atmosphere of fear among officers working in remote and sensitive areas.
During the protest, officers stressed that ensuring the safety and dignity of doctors and officials was non-negotiable. They urged Coal India management and the Chhattisgarh government to implement concrete measures to prevent such incidents. “We are expected to work on the ground in challenging conditions. Without adequate security and firm administrative support, it becomes difficult to discharge our duties,” one officer said.
As part of the agitation, the association announced that officials would continue wearing black armbands during work for at least one week to register their protest. They also appealed to colleagues across departments to support the symbolic demonstration to underline collective concern.
Separately, a representation was submitted to the Superintendent of Police and the District Collector, seeking changes in the sections applied in the case. Officials argued that the existing legal provisions invoked by the police were inadequate and failed to reflect the gravity of the offence. They demanded stricter charges and swift action against those responsible.
District authorities have not yet issued a detailed response, though officials indicated that the matter was under review. The incident has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of healthcare workers and government officers in rural outreach programmes, raising questions about long-term safety mechanisms and accountability.
