A doctor at the state general hospital in Birpara of Alipurduar was allegedly thrashed by a local resident late on Monday after the doctor asked for some time to examine the latter’s child suffering from gastroenteritis.

Police have arrested the accused.

Sources said Dr Sanjay Das, a child specialist, was examining patients at the hospital when Saith Sharma a.k.a. David, a resident of Subhashpally in Birpara, asked the doctor to “immediately” examine his three-year-old son admitted to the hospital.

When the doctor told Sharma there were other patients who need medical attention, and his son’s turn would come soon, Sharma allegedly grabbed Das by his collar and beat him up. He also knocked the doctor’s head against a wall.

A civic volunteer rushed inside and rescued the doctor.

Later, Das filed a complaint with Birpara police. Sharma was arrested. His son, doctors said, is stable.

“It is an unfortunate incident. We have arrested the accused,” said Kuntal Banerjee, the additional SP, Jaigaon.

On Tuesday, Sharma was produced at a local court in Alipurduar. The court heard the case and put him in judicial custody for 14 days.

The incident prompted other doctors and paramedics posted at the hospital to go to the police station on Tuesday and submit a memorandum, demanding that a permanent police camp should be set up at the hospital for their safety.

“All of us are feeling insecure after the incident. We have informed our senior officials to take necessary steps,” said Koushik Kayal, the hospital superintendent.

The injured doctor, he said, was provided necessary treatment.