Page 2 - Bengal Doctors Strike

RG Kar case: CBI asks WB govt why corrupt officials still in key posts

The CBI has sent a letter to West Bengal Health Secretary NS Nigam asking him to furnish details about why officials, allegedly involved in the RG Kar Hospital corruption case, are still holding key positions at the medical establishment, a source said on Wednesday. The Calcutta High Court on August 23 ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at the hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the central agency. The CBI is also probing into the alleged rape and murder of an on-duty postgraduate trainee inside the hospital on August 9. In the letter to Nigam, the agency has questioned why two doctors -- Debasish Som and Sujata Ghosh -- were still holding their respective positions. Som is the former Head of the Forensic Department of RG Kar Hospital and is currently holding the position of a 'Demonstrator' at the Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT), the hospital website said. Sujata Ghosh is an Associate Professor of t

RG Kar case: Resident doctors in Delhi to protest outside Bengal Bhawan

Resident doctors from major hospitals in Delhi will hold a protest outside the Bengal Bhawan in the national capital on Wednesday evening to demand justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protest was announced was the Joint Delhi Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) Action Committee late Tuesday night. Resident doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital, GTB Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College, Lady Hardinge Medical College and others will participate in the protest which will be held at 6 pm on Wednesday, a statement said. The protest is part of a wider movement that began on August 12 with a pan-India strike against the alleged rape and murder of the trainee doctor and lasted until August 22. It was temporarily suspended after assurances from the Supreme Court that justice would be expedited, the statement said. However, the investigation has "stalled" with no action taken report (ATR) shared ..

RG Kar case: IMA chief says doctors have always been soft targets

With the young medics' indefinite hunger strike in West Bengal entering the ninth day on Tuesday, Indian Medical Association chief Dr R V Asokan said doctors have always been "soft targets" and that "injustice inflicted on the medical fraternity has no parallel". Doctors in West Bengal began their hunger strike on October 5, following nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases, over the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. In a statement, posted on X by the IMA, Dr Asokan said on Tuesday that from the word go a doctor in India is a "slave chained by the Bond system". In the post titled "Meek shall inherit the Earth", Dr Asokan said the rape and murder of the resident doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Hospital and Medical College has brought out the "rot that has set in the country's medical colleges". "We are witness to how the sacrifice of the young resident suffocated and raped to a brutal death is haunting the empire

RG Kar case: Junior doctors' indefinite hunger strike enters 11th day

The indefinite hunger strike of junior doctors of West Bengal to press for their demands in the wake of the RG Kar Hospital incident entered the 11th day on Tuesday, as a meeting between medics and the state government failed to resolve the deadlock. Two more doctors participating in the 'fast-unto-death' in Esplanade area of Kolkata fell ill, further fueling the ongoing unrest sparked by the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A crucial meeting between representatives from 12 doctors' associations and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held at Swasthya Bhavan on Monday concluded without any resolution. The doctors' hunger strike began on October 5, following nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases, after the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. As of Tuesday, seven junior doctors continued their hunger strike, with several requiring immediate medical attention. Pulastha Acharya,

Aiims doctors seek prez's intervention as WB colleagues continue strike

Despite continuous protests, including the hunger strike, no significant action has been taken by the authorities in West Bengal

Faima pauses strike as Bengal govt holds emergency meet with doctors

Doctor's body asks resident doctors associations to be ready to stop elective services in case meeting does not address demands

RG Kar impasse: Another doctor hospitalised, rest continue fast-unto-death

Another agitating junior doctor, who has been on fast-unto-death since October 5, was on Sunday night rushed to a hospital after his health deteriorated, an official at the medical establishment said. Pulastha Acharya of the NRS Medical College and Hospital was taken to the hospital after he complained of severe stomach pain, he said. With Acharya, the total number of junior doctors who have been hospitalised in the course of their fasting protest reached four. Aniket Mahato of RG Kar Medical and Hospital, Anustup Majumdar of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, and Alok Verma of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital were needed medical care earlier after a deterioration in their health. "Pulastha is in the CCU and his parameters have deteriorated. We have formed a medical board to treat him," a senior doctor of the NRS Medical College and Hospital told PTI. At the beginning, 11 junior doctors were on a fast-unto-death demanding justice for the a woman medic of the RG Kar ..

Over 77 docs at Kalyani JNM Hospital threaten to resign over RG Kar case

Over 75 senior doctors at West Bengal's Kalyani JNM Hospital have threatened a mass resignation, seeking justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, and expressing solidarity with junior medics on a fast-unto-death to press for their demands. A total of 77 doctors of the medical facility have informed the Registrar of West Bengal Health University via email about their decision to stop work, starting October 14. They cited mental devastation and inability to work in the current state of mind among the reasons behind the move. In their communication, the doctors said they stand in solidarity with the junior medics on a fast-unto-death, whose health is deteriorating. They also expressed concern over the apparent lack of visible effort from the state government to resolve the issue. The agitators have been demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital medic who was raped and murdered, immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security and other measures. The Kalyani JNM Hosp

WB docs resign en masse, call for partial cease-work, march to CBI office

The West Bengal government on Saturday said the mass resignation of doctors of state-run hospitals is not valid and it must be submitted individually according to service rules. Several doctors from state-run hospitals have submitted collectively signed "resignation" letters to the government seeking justice for the post-graduate trainee who was raped and murdered at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and in support of junior medics on a fast-unto-death to press for their demands. "Unless an employee sends in his/her resignation personally to the employer as per service rules, it is not a resignation letter," Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, told reporters at the state secretariat Nabanna here. He clarified that the letters sent by the doctors were merely collective signatures without addressing specific issues. Bandyopadhyay emphasised the government's intention to clarify the situation amidst confusion regarding the ma

RG Kar medic death: Protestors march to CBI office demanding speedy justice

Hundreds of protestors, comprising doctors, lawyers and members of civil society on Saturday led a march to the CBI office in the CGO complex in Salt Lake demanding fair and speedy justice for the gruesome murder and rape of a woman doctor of the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Originating from the Karunamoyee area in Salt Lake, the protestors marched towards the CGO complex located a few kilometres away shouting slogans like "We want justice". They also expressed 'awe' at the CBI as the charge sheet of the central investigating body practically affirming the findings of the Kolkata Police probe which nailed one Sanjoy Roy as the sole culprit, now under custody. "We are surprised how the CBI can endorse the probe of the Kolkata Police in its charge sheet submitted a few days back. This to our mind lacks transparency and those others behind this cruelty should be exposed", one of the protestors said. The police had put up barricades on the roads approaching the CBI .

RG Kar case: Two more doctors join hunger strike as it completes first week

Two more junior doctors have joined six of their colleagues who have been on a fast-unto-death here for the past seven days, demanding justice for the murdered woman medic at RG Kar Hospital, along with other crucial issues. Parichoy Panda from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and Alolika Ghorui from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital joined the protest on Saturday, taking the total number of medics on indefinite fast across the state to 10, including the two at North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri. Meanwhile, the condition of the fasting doctors have worsened, with fellow medics saying their health parameters are "declining." They have been on hunger strike since October 5. Dr. Debasish Halder, one of the protesting doctors, said, "They are very weak and all their parameters are declining. The presence of creatinine in their urine has increased. Seven days of fasting is definitely taking a toll on their health, but it hasn't weakened their resolve for ...

RG Kar case: WB govt silent, condition of fasting medics deteriorating

Junior doctors in West Bengal continued their indefinite hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day, drawing support from several senior doctors across the country and prompting the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to urge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the situation escalates. The ongoing agitation has also led the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) to warn that it would declare a nationwide "complete shutdown of medical services" if any "any harm befalls brave junior doctors". The agitating doctors are demanding justice for their murdered colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with a safer working environment and other important issues. On Friday, IMA national president RV Asokan met the fasting junior doctors to hear their concerns. After visiting another junior medic admitted to RG Kar hospital, he expressed his admiration for the protesters, stating, "I am touched by the way these children are fighting for the cause of the

Bengal doctors' stir: IMA writes to CM Mamata, says security a prerequisite

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resolve the issues of junior doctors who are on a hunger strike in Kolkata, saying a safe working environment is not a luxury but a prerequisite. In a letter to Banerjee, the IMA said it has been almost a week since the young doctors started the hunger strike and they deserve her "immediate attention". The junior doctors of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have been protesting against the alleged rape and murder of a colleague on August 9. Their indefinite hunger strike entered the fifth day on Thursday. The IMA said it supports the "just demands" of the protesting doctors. "They deserve your immediate attention," the IMA said in its letter to Banerjee, adding that the West Bengal government is fully capable of fulfilling all demands of the protesters. "Peaceful ambience and security are not a luxury. They are a prerequisite. We appeal to your good self to settle the

RG Kar case: Doctors continue fast unto death amid Durga Puja festivities

The junior doctors, agitating over the rape and murder of their colleague at the RG Kar hospital, continued their fast unto death for the fifth day on Thursday amid the Durga Puja festivities across West Bengal. At 9.30 am, the fast by the nine junior doctors of various medical colleges entered its 108th hour. The junior doctors began the fast unto death on Saturday evening at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala in the heart of Kolkata after ending the total cease work that had crippled healthcare services. Meanwhile, the state government convened a meeting on Wednesday evening with the protestors but failed to break the deadlock. Following the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the protesting doctors alleged that they received nothing concrete from the state except "verbal assurances". "Our friends have been protesting without food for over four days, and the government says it will consider our demands only in the third week of October, after the pujas. We n

RG Kar victim's parents protest, Aparna Sen urges CM to visit medics

Parents of the RG Kar hospital victim demonstrated in front of their residence in West Bengals North 24 Parganas district demanding justice for their deceased daughter on Wednesday, two months after they lost her. The 31-year-old post-graduate trainee, who was on duty, was allegedly raped and murdered in the state-run medical college on August 9, triggering a nationwide outrage. The parents said that they would continue their demonstration till Mahadasami, the last day of the Durga Puja festival, on Saturday. "We do not have our Durga with me. I had never thought of seeing this day even in my nightmare. We used to have Durga Pujas in my home, but now we are sitting here after our Durga left us. We will sit here till Dashami," her father said. He added that they would not allow any political figure at their demonstration. We haven't invited anyone, but anyone who wants to join is welcome. However, they must not take the stage as we want to avoid any political influences," he said.

RG Kar case: Police 'picks up' 29 for giving leaflets at Durga Puja marquee

Police on Wednesday evening "picked up" around 29 people from a popular Durga Puja marquee in south Kolkata, where they were distributing leaflets regarding the ongoing junior doctors' protests demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, an officer said. They were brought to the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar from the Tridhara Sammilani Puja at Deshapriya Park, he said. While the police maintained they were common people showing solidarity with the medics, the junior doctors insisted that the ones picked up were their colleagues. Following the development, several other medics, protesting near Dharmatala, where seven doctors are on a fast-unto-death, started a rally towards Lalbazar when they were stopped by police on Bentinck Street. The agitators sat on the road and started a demonstration, demanding the unconditional immediate release of their "colleagues". "We were not told by the police why they had brought our colleagues to Lalbazar. This is nothing but atroci

RG Kar: Agitating docs 'picked up' by police while distributing leaflets

Police on Wednesday evening "picked up" around nine junior doctors from a popular Durga Puja marquee in south Kolkata, where the medics were distributing leaflets regarding their ongoing protests demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, an officer said. The junior doctors were brought to the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar from the Tridhara Sammilani Puja at Deshapriya Park, they said. Following the development, several other medics, protesting near Dharmatala, where seven doctors are on a fast-unto-death, started a rally towards Lalbazar when they were stopped by police on Bentinck Street. The agitators sat on the road and started a demonstration, demanding the unconditional immediate release of their colleagues. "We were not told by the police why they had brought our colleagues to Lalbazar. This is nothing but atrocity. We will not leave unless our friends are released," one of the junior doctors said. Before reaching Deshapriya Park, the agitating medics had .

RG Kar case: CBI cites blood stain, DNA report as evidence in chargesheet

The CBI has listed 11 pieces of evidence, such as reports of DNA and blood samples, in its charge sheet to hold arrested Kolkata Police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy as the "sole accused" in the rape and murder of a woman doctor at the RG Kar hospital here. The agency mentioned the presence of his DNA on the body of the victim, short hair, blood stains of the victim, injuries on his body, the CCTV footage and the location of his mobile phone as per the call detail records as evidence against Roy. The charge sheet, a copy of which is with PTI, also mentioned that Roy sustained "blunt force injuries consistent with the marks of resistance/struggle by the victim". Roy was arrested by Kolkata Police on August 10. "His (Roy's) presence in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital and also at the third floor of the emergency building where SoC (scene of the crime) lies, during the intervening night of August 8 and 9 is proved by way of CCTV footage. His presence is proved by way of the location ..

RG Kar case: Delhi doctors join Bengal colleagues with hunger strike, march

Doctors at Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi on Wednesday began a one-day hunger strike to show solidarity with junior doctors in West Bengal who are protesting the brutal rape and murder of a female medic. Doctors at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital also joined in on Wednesday, wearing black ribbons as a symbol of solidarity and remembrance for their murdered colleague, while the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of AIIMS-Delhi announced a candle march scheduled for 6 pm at JLN Stadium. Aparna Setia, president of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) RDA, said doctors are holding a symbolic hunger strike during working hours from 9 am to 4 pm on Wednesday. "During this period, we will abstain from eating or drinking to express our support for the junior doctors in West Bengal who have been on a hunger strike," Setia told PTI. The MAMC is also organising various activities in support of the doctors' cause. The GTB doctors, in a statement, said the black ribbons they wore signif

RG Kar doctors' mass resignations 'symbolic', no impact on patient care yet

The mass resignation of 54 senior doctors from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday hasn't affected healthcare services in the facility as medics continue to treat patients. The outpatient and inpatient departments remained fully operational, with doctors actively providing care, eyewitnesses said. Dr. Sunit Hazra, an orthopedic surgeon, explained that the resignations were intended to exert pressure the state government, which has remained silent during the ongoing hunger strike by junior doctors. "Our resignation is symbolic, aimed at prompting the government to engage in discussions," he said. The doctors who tendered resignations include specialists from various fields, such as cardiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics, as well as faculty from departments like radiotherapy and general medicine. Dr. Hazra emphasised that the resignations are not intended to disrupt patient care and that they would continue their duties. The collective resignation letter was sent to the