Kolkata doctor murder case: Doctors threaten 24-hour strike as protests intensify nationwide

PTC News Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. As part of their ongoing probe, the CBI has summoned eight doctors and several other medical staff members from the hospital for questioning.

In a related development, the Kolkata Police have arrested 10 individuals and detained three others in connection with the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College during the nationwide ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest. According to police reports, a group of 40 to 50 people, under the pretext of demonstrating, stormed the hospital premises late Wednesday night and caused significant damage to property.

The ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest, which began on the eve of Independence Day, continues to gain momentum. The Delhi Medical Association’s President, Dr. Alok Bhandari, expressed deep frustration over the lack of progress in the case and has called for a 24-hour strike starting this Saturday.

Key Developments in the Kolkata Trainee Doctor Rape-Murder Case:

• A significant joint meeting was held by representatives of various Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDA), including those from AIIMS Delhi and Maulana Azad Medical College. During this meeting, it was unanimously decided that all RDAs across Delhi would participate in a joint protest march today, beginning at 2 pm at Nirman Bhavan.

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike by doctors practicing modern medicine, commencing at 6 am on Saturday. This strike is in response to the vandalism that occurred at RG Kar Hospital.
• The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has called for a 12-hour statewide strike across West Bengal today, also in protest of the vandalism at the hospital.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the Trinamool Congress will organize a rally on August 17, marching from Moulali to Dharmatala in Kolkata, to seek justice for the trainee doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mahila Morcha will hold a silent candlelight march across all district headquarters in West Bengal today to protest the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata.
• The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association has declared a day-long cease-work today in solidarity with the protests against the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital.
• The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has also organized a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai today, condemning the vandalism at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital.
• Despite the 12-hour general strike called by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) party, Kolkata Metro Railway has confirmed that it will run normal services on August 16.
  
• BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of being involved in the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CBI, requesting the deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) to ensure order.

The tragic incident at RG Kar Hospital occurred on August 9, when the semi-naked body of the 32-year-old trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital. A civic volunteer linked to the Kolkata Police, Sanjay Roy, has since been arrested in connection with the case.

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