The Indian Medical Association on Monday threatened to call a nation-wide bandh of medical institutions on November 25 if the Bihar government failed to arrest those involved in the murder of eminent surgeon Dr N K Agarwal and secure the release of Dr Nagendra Prashad who was kidnapped on October 28.

"We will be organising protest rallies and dharnas from November 21 to 24 all over the country in support of the agitating Bihar doctors. But if the issue is not solved to the satisfaction of the medical community, we will be forced to call for a nation-wide bandh on November 25," IMA secretary general Dr Vinay Agarwal told reporters in New Delhi. Health services across Bihar remained paralysed for the third day on Monday, with nearly 20,000 private and government doctors staying away from work protesting the killing of Agarwal, who, along with his assistant Arvind, was killed on November 12.

"The situation in Bihar is very pathetic and we are genuinely concerned," Agarwal said. "We have prepared a list of 35 doctors kidnapped and five murdered in last 13 years in Bihar. The actual numbers may be much more," he said, adding professionals need a sense of security to perform their duty.

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"The government should indulge in some confidence building measures as even now doctors are receiving telephone calls demanding ransom money," he added.

IMA has also written a letter to Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Monday demanding a safe working environment for public servants, especially doctors, in the state.