Kolkata Rape-Murder: Nationwide Protests Hit Medical Services, Mamata's 7-Day Deadline Irks Docs

Kolkata: Anger erupts across India against the sexual assault and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College West Bengal's Kolkata, with the medical students calling for a nationwide strike on Monday (August 12).  The FORDA wrote a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda where it stated that it would halt its elective services and put forward five crucial demands including increasing safety and security protocols for healthy workers.  Furthermore, "After call from @FordaIndia , All 10 Government Hospitals’ RDA of Delhi are on strike from today. Resident Doctors of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu are also on strike from today. All other state RDAs will join by today," said Dr Meet Ghonia, Secretary, FORDA India.

Stay tuned with Republic for all the latest updates:

• Maharashtra resident doctors call indefinite strike tomorrow from 9 am 

In protest against the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, all resident doctors of Maharashtra have announced to go on strike from tomorrow, that is 13th August at 9 am. More than 8000 resident doctors across Maharashtra are going on strike. All optional services will be stopped in hospital across Maharashtra. All emergency services will continue as usual. 

• Post Mortem handed over by Kolkata Police to the family

Reports suggests Homicidal, ante mortem in nature, sexual penetration. Report also states that she was killed by throttling and then smothering. The time of death was between 3 am to 5 am.

• Dr. Halder appointed as new Director of Health Services 

Dr Debasish Halder appointed as the new Director of Health Services, West Bengal

• Ex Principal of RG Kar college appointed principal of Calcutta National Medical College

Suchitra Paul ex Principal of RG Kar college appointed principal of Calcutta National Medical College

• Karnataka govt. to form expert panel to assess condition of all dams in State

In the backdrop of one of the crest gates of the Tungabhadra reservoir being washed away, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said the state government is constituting an expert committee to assess the condition of all dams in the state.

Shivakumar, also the Water Resources Minister, said efforts are on to restore the crest gate at the dam and there is no need for anyone to worry over the issue.

One of the crest gates (19th gate) of the Tungabhadra reservoir near the district headquarters town of Koppal was washed away after its chain link snapped on Friday midnight, following which the downstream areas were put on alert, as a huge quantity of water was being released.

"Yesterday I visited the T B (Tungabhadra) Dam, we have taken immediate action. I have spoken to contractors and we have sent the designs. In four to five days, we will try to repair it. We want to save at least one crop for our farmers, we are taking all necessary measures for it. The Chief Minister is also visiting there tomorrow. I have also discussed with the technical team," Shivakumar said.

• Member of NWC Arrives in Kolkata 

A member of the National Women’s Commission Delina Khongdup arrives in Kolkata. She is likely to meet police commissioner and victim’s family. 

“We will meet Commissioner of police and will then meet victims’ family,” she said. 

• Delhi Hospital Director Assures Services Uninterrupted Amid Resident Doctors' Strike

On hospital services affected due to resident doctors' strike, Director & Medical Superintendent, RML Hospital Dr Ajay Shukla says, "I took a round of the hospital. Our administration team and additional MS also took rounds of the OPDs and OTs to see the situation. Emergency services are functioning as usual and normally. In OPD, almost 5700 patients were registered this morning. The junior and senior faculty were attending all the OPDs... Our emergency and elective OTs are all functional. The patients in the wards are also being attended. There is no impact on the services... The junior and senior faculty are working together so that the cases don't get piled up... The Secretary chaired a meeting at 9 am... The office bearers of the concerned offices attended it... The secretary listened to their demands and told them what could be done..."

• All Emergency Services Shut Down 

As large number of medical students will rally from college Sqare to KG Kar Medical college at 4 PM today, all emergency services in West Bengal will be shut. 

The students have demanded a CBI inquiry for which a mega rally has been organised to demand the post-mortem report within 48 hours. 

• BJP to Hold Nationwide Protest

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a massive nationwide protest over the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor. The saffron party also demands CBI enquiry in this case.

• 'Will Hand Over Doctor Murder Probe to CBI if Police Fail to Solve Case by Sunday: Mamata

After meeting the victim's family, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that she would hand over the case to CBI if Kolkata Police fails to solve the case.

"If the police are unable to solve this by Sunday, we will hand over the case to the CBI. However, the success rate of the central probe agency is very low," she told reporters.

• CM Mamata Visits RG Kar Hospital Victim's residence

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits murdered RG Kar hospital doctor's residence in Kolkata, PTI reported quoting an official. 

• KARD Holds Protests Seeking Justice For Abhaya

The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) held a protest seeking justice for a Bengal PG doctor who was sexually assaulted ad raped. 

• BJP Leader and Calcutta HC advocate Kaustav Bagchi File Petition Demanding CBI probe

West Bengal BJP leader and advocate of Calcutta High Court Kaustav Bagchi filed a petition in the High Court, demanding a CBI probe into the case and also requesting for installation of CCTVs in all medical colleges and restrooms with proper security.

• PGI Resident Doctors Hold Protests in Chandigarh

Joining the nationwide strikes in the Kolkata horror tragedy, PGI resident doctors in Chandigarh held a massive protest.

• Kolkata PG Doctor Murder: 3 Junior Doctors, 1 Housekeeping Summoned by Police

In the latest development in the sexual assault and murder case of the female postgraduate trainee doctor, the Kolkata police summoned three junior doctors and one housekeeping staff on Monday, the sources said. 

• RML Hospital in Delhi go on Indefinite Strike Amid Protest in Kolkata 

• Massive Protest Erupts at AIIMS Delhi over Kolkata Horror | VIDEO

On Monday, August 12, a massive protest was held at AIIMS Delhi against the sexual assault and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. 

• 'As a Parent, I Resign': RG Kar Medical College Principal Resigns

Following the massive protest over the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, the principal resigned on Monday. Sandip Ghosh said, "I am getting defamed on social media."

"The deceased doctor was like my daughter. As a parent I resign. I don't like that this should happen to anyone in future."

• The BMC MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors) on Monday announced the suspension of elective or non-emergency medical services by resident doctors from Monday, August 13 until the  Kolkata RG Kar Medical College appoints CBI to investigate the case. 

• Women from all sections of society stated that they would occupy the streets of Bengal to protest against the incident on August 14.
• AIIMS in Delhi and NIMHANS also declare 'cease-work.'

• All government medical colleges in West Bengal declare 'cease-work.'
• How Far Will Mamta Go to Protect Influential People: Malviya

BJP leader Amit Malviya slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee saying, "How far will Mamata Banerjee go to protect influential people behind the RG Kar rape and murder?"

In a post on X, Malviya said, "A viral video from RG Kar, an apparent conversation between a PGT and an intern, has surfaced that has reaffirmed what was anyway expected – A SHAM INVESTIGATION! The intern can be heard saying that the Principal is covering up the investigation to protect the "real culprit" who has “strong political connections”. A civic volunteer has been made a scapegoat to placate the higher political bosses!"

• Junior doctors in Kolkata are all set to take out a big rally today.
• 'We Want Impartial Investigation'

As the protest continued for the fourth day, a junior doctor said, "We want an impartial investigation into the murder of our colleague, either by the CBI or a sitting magistrate. We are dissatisfied with the current police investigation and will continue our protest until justice is served and the state ensures foolproof security for all doctors and healthcare workers."

• What did the Initial Autopsy Report Reveal?

The autopsy which was carried out last week revealed some spine-chilling facts including a broken neck and injuries in the belly.

The initial autopsy report read, "There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face and nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg… neck, in her right hand, ring finger and… lips."

• 'If Needed, The Accused Will be Hanged': Mamata Banerjee

Following the spine-chilling incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the incident "unfortunate."

"I have directed the case to be taken to a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged. But they should be given the strictest punishment."