Centre demands bi-hourly situation updates from states amid Kolkata protests
The Union Home Ministry has issued a directive to all state police forces, requiring them to submit situation reports every two hours. This decision comes in the wake of ongoing protests by doctors and nursing staff over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The police have been instructed to send these updates via fax, email, or WhatsApp to the MHA control room in New Delhi starting 4 pm Friday.
Home Ministry's directive emphasizes continuous monitoring
The Home Ministry's notification, dated August 16, emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of the law and order situation in each state/Union Territory (UT) following the Kolkata incident. The directive stated, "Regarding two hourly law and order situation reports. The competent authority has desired to monitor the law and order situation report of your state/UT against the murder of a trainee woman doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal."
Nationwide protests disrupt healthcare services
The doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty on August 9. A Kolkata Police civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime the following day but the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI for further investigation, expressing displeasure over the handling of the case. Amid protests demanding justice for the victim, a mob entered RG Kar premises on Wednesday night and vandalized parts of it, forcing doctors' bodies to call a 24-hour medical shutdown.
Kolkata Police impose restrictions amid unrest
In response to the escalating unrest, Kolkata Police have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), around RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This restriction will be in effect for seven days, starting from Sunday. The Union government has also announced plans to form a committee that will propose safety measures for healthcare professionals.
Union government forms committee for healthcare professionals' safety
The Union Health Ministry stated that this committee will include representatives from all stakeholders, including state governments, to gather suggestions on improving safety in healthcare settings. "Representatives of all stakeholders, including the state governments, will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee," a statement from the ministry said.
