Doctors in several parts of the country have announced an indefinite strike to protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, according to news agency PTI. Among their demands is an investigation into the incident and security for all medical staff.
In West Bengal, hospital services remained disrupted for the fourth consecutive day as junior doctors, interns, and postgraduate trainees continued their strike seeking a magisterial inquiry into her death.
In Delhi, 10 government facilities have started a strike, including the Maulana Azad Medical College, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB, IHBAS, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, and National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases Hospital.
The body of the 32-year-old trainee was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in Kolkata on Thursday night. The victim was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts, according to the initial autopsy report, which also pointed to injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association of India has reportedly endorsed the strike in Bengal and called for a nationwide halt of elective services on Monday.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Doctors Forum has appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for an impartial inquiry committee and capital punishment for the culprit.
Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal had visited the hospital on Sunday for the second time in three days and held a meeting with representatives of protesters. He said the probe is “transparent”. A civic volunteer who is not associated with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has been arrested.
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