Doctors across Assam joined a nationwide strike on Saturday, protesting the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a Kolkata hospital.
The medical fraternity is demanding swift and exemplary punishment for the culprits, alongside the enactment of a central law to protect healthcare professionals.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) spearheaded the protest, calling for a 24-hour cessation of non-emergency medical services starting from 6 am on August 17.
The protest, which saw widespread participation across Assam, brought outpatient and non-essential services to a standstill. Doctors assembled on hospital premises, donning black badges and holding placards with slogans like "No safety, no duty" and "Justice delayed is justice denied."
At Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), resident doctors expressed their anger and fear. "We want justice for the victim and her family. Our first demand is for immediate action against the culprits," said one doctor. "We also want society to be educated so that such heinous crimes are not repeated."
The lack of security for doctors was a common concern among the protestors.
"We are often called to duty at odd hours, even at 1 am. How can we perform our duties when our basic safety is at risk?" asked a junior doctor at GMCH. She added, "We demand swift justice and a central law that ensures our safety at work."
In Dibrugarh, doctors at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) highlighted the broader issue of insecurity faced by citizens in various sectors.
"This nationwide protest is not just about the medical community; it reflects the insecurity that everyone feels today," a doctor remarked.
The protestors also criticised the slow progress of the investigation, with only one arrest made so far.
"It's shameful that only one person has been arrested. We suspect that hospital authorities and government officials may be involved in shielding the culprits. We demand that all those responsible be arrested immediately," said a doctor at AMCH.
Doctors at Rupnath Brahma Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar expressed hope that the CBI, which is now handling the investigation, will deliver justice swiftly. They also reiterated the need for a central law to ensure the security of medical professionals on duty.
In Jorhat, doctors at the Medical College and Hospital demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in hospitals to enhance safety. Protests were also reported in Nagaon, Golaghat, and other locations across Assam, with doctors unanimously calling for justice and protection.
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