'I'll do what happened in Kolkata...': Doctor threatened with rape-murder
A woman doctor at the Bhatar State General Hospital in West Bengal was reportedly threatened with rape and murder by a civic volunteer, identified as Susanta Roy. The incident comes amid nationwide protests over the recent sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Following the threat, doctors and nurses at the Bhatar hospital staged demonstrations.
Threatened doctor continued treating accused despite threat
According to reports, the accused, Roy, was seeking treatment at the hospital. He allegedly entered the emergency ward in an intoxicated state and threatened the doctor with a fate similar to that of the Kolkata medic. Despite the threat, the doctor continued to treat him as per her duty and medical ethics, reports said. The accused was later arrested after doctors and nurses staged demonstrations.
Nationwide protests over Kolkata incident
Meanwhile, nationwide protests have erupted following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Her semi-naked body was found in the seminar hall of the hospital with horrific injuries including a broken neck bone and bleeding from her eyes and mouth. A civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy was arrested in connection with this case.
Doctors across India join strike demanding justice
The Federation of Resident Doctors's Association (FORDA) has declared a nationwide suspension of elective services in hospitals to show solidarity with their colleagues and demand justice for the victim. Doctors across India have joined this strike, halting all elective services until a probe into the case is completed. West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her administration would not object to a Central Bureau of Investigation probe if requested by students or victims' families.
'Civic volunteers' force faces criticism
The "civic volunteers" force was formed in 2013 to assist the police in Bengal. However, there have been multiple controversies involving these volunteers asserting themselves as equivalent to the police. The accused in both cases were identified as civic volunteers. Separately, the principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Prof. (Dr.) Sandip Ghosh, resigned from his post following the backlash over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor.
