Dhubri, May 7: A host of organisations and thousands of people in Bijni today wore black badges to protest against the “abduction” of physician Ratan Kumar Roy.

The organisations, including the Bijni unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bijni Pharmacists Association and Bijni Shop Owners’ Association, also set the administration a 48-hour deadline to free the doctor from his captors.

The doctor was allegedly abducted by suspected NDFB militants from his private chamber on the morning of May 5.

The organisations also submitted a memorandum to Bijni sub-divisional officer (civil), Abhijit Baruah, demanding the release of Roy, who is also a dedicated social worker.

A delegation led by prominent and senior citizens as well as social worker Nripendra Mishra handed over the memorandum to the Bijni sub-divisional officer (civil) and urged him to expedite the ongoing operation to secure the doctor’s release.

When contacted, Mishra said the people of Bijni were shocked at the abduction and this was why apart from several organisations of the town, people from all walks of life had joined the protest against the kidnap.

“Yesterday, we held a meeting and resolved to wear black badges and submit a memorandum to the civil administration, giving them a 48-hour deadline beginning 5pm today for the safe release of the doctor. But if it fails, then we will launch a vigorous movement against the administration,” Mishra added.

He said the abduction of any person for any reason was a senseless act, which civil society cannot accept and they were ready to intensify their movement if the doctor was not freed.

When contacted, Baruah said civil as well as police officials were making all-out efforts to free the doctor. “We are trying our best. The operation which was launched just after the abduction is still continuing but till today we have been unable to make any breakthrough in this case.”

The officer-in-charge of Bijni police station, Pradeep Kumar Bora, said they were leaving no stone unturned to free the doctor but so far their efforts have drawn a blank.

“We have been going deep inside the forest in search of the physician since Tuesday. We are also preparing to venture deep inside the forest in Chirang district bordering Bhutan on the basis of specific information. Let us see what happens,” Bora added.