Protesting doctors in Kolkata have demanded the ouster of several top officials including Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal following the horrifying RG Kar Hospital rape and murder. Demands outlined on Friday evening included calls for the culprits to be arrested with “proper evidence” and the implementation of new ‘workplace security measures’. The protesters have also sought lifelong financial support for the parents of the victim.
“Our primary demand is the arrest of the culprits with proper evidence with an official press release confirming the same from the CBI. We demand a written apology, order of resignation of higher authorities including the former Principal of RG Kar, MSVP, Dean of Students Affairs, HOD of the Chest Medicine Department and the Assistant Super Support on Duty of the incident. They should be barred from holding any administrative or authoritative positions in any institution for the remaining duration of their services,” said a junior doctor at the hospital.
The gruesome death of a post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata earlier this month has triggered pan India outrage and calls for a nationwide medical strike on Saturday. The 31-year-old victim had been on night duty when she was found dead with severe injuries in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College.
A women-led midnight protest against the incident also made waves after a group damaged CCTV cameras and vandalised the hospital. Efforts remain underway to catch the miscreants to wrecked the emergency department, nursing station, and medicine store.
“In light of the recent mob attack, we would demand the resignation of the current Principal of RG Kar MCH, Commissioner of the Police of Kolkata, officer in charge of Tala PS and Deputy Commissioner of Police North Kolkata on their shameful response to the mob attack on the eve of Independence Day,” the protesters said on Friday.
The demands outlined by the agitators also calls for the implementation of additional workplace security measures including CCTV cameras and addition of male and female security guards. They also demanded an explanation from the Shastra Bhawan “as to why the resignation of the former Principal was not accepted and why was he reinstated in another medical college as a Principal”.
“The Commissioner of the Police should take strict action against the digital defamation of RG Kar MCh students that has been circulated on social media. He should also investigate and take action against the circulation of the photo of the victim that is going on in the social media and he also should take action against taking the victim's name multiple times in the social media,” they added.
(With inputs from agencies)
