Doctors across the country have begun a shutdown of non-emergency services on Saturday in protest against the brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The shutdown started at 6 am and will go on till 6 am on Sunday.
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- The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for the implementation of a central law to safeguard hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.
- The IMA is urging the government to declare hospitals as safe zones, which would come with mandatory security entitlements to protect medical professionals. This comes after the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata has sparked nationwide outrage.
Press Release dated 16.08.2024 pic.twitter.com/IMSIHe6WjQ
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) August 16, 2024
- In addition to security concerns, the IMA has highlighted the dire working conditions faced by resident doctors. They pointed out that the victim had been on a 36-hour duty shift and that the lack of safe spaces and adequate rest areas for doctors needs to be urgently addressed.
- The IMA has also demanded a professional investigation of the crime within a specific timeframe.
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for questioning
- West Bengal Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal issued a public appeal for assistance in the investigation. He announced that photographs and videos of suspects had been posted on social media, encouraging citizens to share any information that could aid in the identification and capture of those involved.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to lead a massive rally in Kolkata on Friday demanding justice for the victim and capital punishment for the accused.
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee takes out a rally against the incident of rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata
She is demanding justice for the victim and capital punishment for the accused. pic.twitter.com/TEY8OcLsny
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 16, 2024
- Kolkata Police have arrested 25 people in connection with the vandalism at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. CBI’s Kolkata office has questioned five doctors and hospital staff for questioning in the horrific Kolkata rape and murder case. The forensic experts visited the hospital to investigate on the vandalism that happened on Thursday.
- The CBI also visited the the residence of the docgtor who was brutally raped and murdered in the hospital premises.
- The officials spoke to the victim’s parents for gathering information for the investigation.They also interrogated hospital staff.
- The Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) in Delhi have announced a joint protest march on August 16. According to the association members, the march will commence at 2 pm from Nirman Bhavan in the national capital.
- The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also declared a 24-hour nationwide strike scheduled to begin at 6 AM on Saturday, August 17, and will continue till 6 am on Sunday, August 18.
- The medical college’s recently appointed principal, Suhrita Pal, lost her composure when doctors began to object and pressurize her to intervene against the midnight mob onslaught. “Send me home too if you can’t trust me for one hour. I need to complete some official work in an hour. I won’t go; you have to trust me. You must have faith in me. You shouldn’t expect anything from me if you can’t believe me,” she remarked.
- FORDA issued a statement acknowledging the distress their earlier decision had caused within the medical community. The organization expressed its shock and dismay over the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College, stating that the recent events compelled them to reconsider their stance.
- “FORDA continues the strike after the recent Tragic Incident at R G Kar and failure of government to deliver on promises in a timely manner as assured,” FORDA stated.A peaceful protest organized by women in Kolkata, dubbed ‘Women, Reclaim the Night,’ took a violent turn on Wednesday night as some individuals stormed a hospital and caused widespread damage.
- The situation quickly escalated when a group of people entered the hospital premises, attacking vehicles and damaging public property. The Kolkata Police reported that 15 officers were injured during the clash, and nine people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
- After the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in a statement said, “The people who vandalised RG Kar Hospital yesterday and created this ruckus are not connected to the student movement of RG Kar Medical College, they are outsiders, I have seen as many videos, I have three videos as I can see, in which some people are holding national flags, they are BJP people, and some are DYFI are holding white and red flags.”
- “Yesterday, the police were also attacked, I would like to congratulate them that they did not lose patience, they did not hurt anyone. Now the case is not in our hands, it is in the hands of CBI, if you have something to say, then tell CBI, we have no objection,” CM Banerjee added.
