LAHORE: A faction of the Young Doctors Association (YDA) along with a number of nurses and paramedical staff on Tuesday took to the street to press the health department to `reinstate` a colleague found guilty of manhandling a patient at a Mayo Hospital ward.

Carrying placards and banners, the doctors burnt used tyres almost at every intersection from GPO Chowk to Davies Road, causing traffic jams not only on the busiest thoroughfare but also on its adjoining arteries. They also misbehaved with motorcyclists who attempted to cross The Mall from GPO, High Court and Regal intersectionsbesides Charing Cross.

After reaching the Davies Road intersection, the protesters started chanting slogans against the `indifference` of health secretary and the medical superintendent of Mayo Hospital towards their demands.

Addressing the protesters, YDA faction spokesman Dr Zafar said that young doctors were forced to take the extreme step of taking to the street. The YDA`s Punjab central leadership preferred to be silent on the claim by leaders of one of its factions.

The protesters were still at the Davies Road intersection till late in the evening while traffic wardens managed to restore vehicular movement at GPO Chowk, Regal Chowk and Charing Cross.