After the incident of vandalism at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last night, doctors have once again announced a nationwide strike. This was announced by the doctors’ organization Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA). Late on Tuesday night, FORDA representatives met Union Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda and announced the end of the strike. On the other hand, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned the vandalism and has called an emergency meeting with its state branches to decide on further action.
Reversing its decision to call off the strike on Tuesday, FORDA said the organisation was shocked and distressed by the violence at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, FORDA also acknowledged that their strike had caused distress. In a statement, FORDA said, “In light of the recent disturbing events at RG Kar Medical College, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has decided to go on strike again. We acknowledge that our earlier decision to call off the strike, taken in good faith based on the ministry’s assurances, has caused distress and disappointment in our community. We accept responsibility for the same and understand the widespread discontent it has caused.”
After the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, fellow doctors were protesting against the gruesome incident in the same hospital where vandalism was done last night. Unknown miscreants entered the premises of the government RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata after midnight on Thursday and vandalized some parts of it. The body of a woman doctor was found in the same hospital last week. This vandalism happened at midnight amid the protest by women against the rape and murder of the doctor in the hospital.
The IMA said the authorities have once again failed to maintain law and order at a time when the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The RG Kar Medical College, which has been the talk of the town in the country for the past week due to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, was vandalised by goons, the IMA said in a statement.
He said, “The authorities who allowed such a heinous crime to happen through their negligence have once again failed to maintain law and order at a time when an important CBI investigation is underway in this case. Such barbarity points to anarchy and collapse of law and order. IMA condemns this senseless violence and fears that important evidence may be destroyed.”
According to police, a group of about 40 people allegedly entered the hospital premises as protesters, damaged property and pelted stones at policemen, following which policemen had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. A police vehicle and some two-wheelers present at the spot were damaged in the incident, it said. Some police officials were also injured in the violence, an official said. (With Bhasha inputs)
