Healthcare services across West Bengal remained crippled as junior doctors at state-run hospitals continued their strike for the 14th consecutive day, protesting the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH).
Despite the state government’s intervention, the aggrieved doctors are determined to push forward until their demands for justice are fully met.
The state government, in a bid to pacify the protesters, transferred three senior officials from RGKMCH and revoked the recent appointment of the institution’s former principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CNMC).
However, the agitating doctors are holding their ground, insisting that the removal of officials is only a partial concession. They remain steadfast in their demand for justice for their colleague.
"We acknowledge the transfers, but our main demand—justice for our sister—remains unmet. We will monitor developments in the Supreme Court and decide our next steps accordingly," one of the protesting doctors said on Thursday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has taken over the probe into the alleged rape and murder, is expected to submit a status report to the Supreme Court later today.
The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing is likely to influence the course of the ongoing protest.
The state government’s decision to remove three senior officials, including Dr. Ghosh, from their posts followed intense pressure from the junior doctors, who have been protesting since the tragic incident on August 9.
The lifeless body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered in a seminar hall at RGKMCH, sparking outrage and fear among her peers.
A civic volunteer was arrested a day after the body was found, in connection with the crime.
Despite this arrest, the medical community remains unsettled, with many fearing for their safety and demanding stricter measures to ensure justice and prevent such incidents in the future.
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