PATNA, Aug. 24 -- The Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) and allied medical associations on Sunday gave the state government a three-day deadline to resolve two key issues - stoppage of salaries based on biometric attendance and growing incidents of threats and physical attacks on doctors and health workers. Dr Vinay Kumar, spokesperson of the Bihar Health Services Association, in a statement issued on Sunday, said: "If satisfactory decisions are not taken within the stipulated period, the joint front of the doctors will be compelled to take stringent measures in the interest of doctors and health workers." He, however, did not spell out the action the doctors were planning to take if the government did not heed their demands. The Bihar Health Services Association, Dental Doctors' Association, AYUSH Medical Services Association and the Indigenous Medical Services Association issued the ultimatum at a joint meeting of the associations held at the IMA Hall in Patna on Sunday. Dr Kumar through the statement said the joint front of the Bihar health services had sought "concrete and satisfactory" action from the government on both issues within three days. The front also warned that the state government and health department would be held responsible for any situation arising from the failure to address the demands within the deadline. The associations strongly opposed the withholding of salaries of doctors and health workers in several districts, including Araria, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Gopalganj and Bhojpur, on the basis of biometric attendance. They demanded immediate release of the withheld salaries and an end to such action in future. The meeting also raised concerns over repeated incidents of alleged misbehaviour, threats and violence against doctors and health workers at health institutions. According to Dr Kumar, such incidents have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among healthcare personnel, the press release said. The associations demanded effective security arrangements at health facilities and sought accountability of local police stations and administrative officials for preventing such incidents and ensuring prompt action against offenders. The meeting specifically condemned the August 21 attack on Dr Diwakar Pandey, posted at the additional primary health centre in Bhairavganj, Bettiah in West Champaran district. Dr Pandey was allegedly attacked with a hammer and suffered serious injuries to his leg. The associations demanded immediate and stringent action against those responsible, the release added....