THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, August 12: A nationwide strike of resident doctors began on Monday in protest against the murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) had called for a nationwide strike of resident doctors.
Hospital strike continues for fourth day in Kolkata
In protest against the rape and murder of a female doctor and demanding a magistrate’s inquiry into the incident, junior doctors, interns, and postgraduate trainees in Kolkata continued their strike for the fourth consecutive day on Monday. As a result, hospital services have been disrupted.
According to sources, junior doctors had been handling emergency duties for the past three days, but on Monday morning, they halted emergency services as well.
On August 9, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor was found with injuries in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. An autopsy later revealed that she had been raped before being murdered. The accused, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested on August 10 and placed in 14-day police custody.
Also Read- Jharkhand Weather: IMD predicts thundershowers in isolated places today, deficit drops to 14%
Doctors associated with the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of all government hospitals in the country have joined the strike. Doctors from almost all hospitals in Delhi are protesting on the streets. It is reported that doctors from KGMU Hospital in Lucknow, also came out on the streets with banners and posters to demand justice.
Mamata Banerjee says CBI will take over probe if police don’t solve case by Aug 18
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a strict warning to the police, stating that if they fail to solve the case by August 18, the CBI will take over the investigation.
Mamata Banerjee expressed deep pain over the incident, urging swift punishment for those involved and calling for a fast-tracked judicial process. She was shocked the crime occurred despite hospital staff being present.
Banerjee also mentioned that the victim’s parents believe an insider was involved. In response, the principal, Head of Department, Medical Superintendent cum Vice Principal (MSVP), and ASP were removed from their hospital posts.
Doctors call for CBI probe and swift arrest of all accused
FORDA’s Vice President, Dr. Sharda Prasad, stated that the association has called for a nationwide strike in protest of the incident. They demand a transparent investigation at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, the swift arrest of all accused, and the strictest possible action against them.
Dr. Indra Shekhar, President of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS, expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation. Many doctors participating in the protest have called for a CBI investigation.
Principal Sandip Ghosh of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College Hospital, where this incident took place, has resigned from his post. The protesting resident doctors had been demanding this since the incident.