Kolkata rape-murder: Pen-down strike at Rims enters 2nd day

RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: The pen-down strike initiated by junior doctors at the state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) in Ranchi to protest the rape and murder of a woman medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata entered its second day on Wednesday.
Ankit Kumar, the president of the junior doctors’ association at Rims, said, “We are continuing our agitation in solidarity with our counterparts from other states.”
As a result of the ongoing protest, out patient department (OPD) services and non-urgent operation theatre (OT) procedures were affected, but the hospital has made arrangements to ensure that emergency services remain uninterrupted by deploying additional doctors to cater to the needs of the patients.Kumar stressed the importance of strengthening legal safeguards for medical professionals and called for the implementation of heightened security measures to protect women doctors working during night shifts.
Meanwhile, the medical fraternity in Steel City demanded that the govt should amend laws so that only capital punishment can be meted out to rapists.
Justifying the demand for capital punishment for rapists, cardiologist Dr Anita Banerjee said, “Ensuring security should be the govt’s priority, but sadly a lot is only done on paper and hardly anything is seen on the ground. A National Crime Records Bureau 2022 data shows approximately 90 rapes happen in India everyday. Capital punishment is required.”
“Though we are miles away from where the tragic incident occurred in Kolkata, doctors in Jamshedpur are supporting the public anger which has spilled onto the streets of West Bengal, demanding justice for the young girl and her family,” said Banerjee.
Gynaecologist Dr Sudeshna Mishra said, “Doctors from Jamshedpur will urge the state govt to take up the issue with the Centre for law amendment so that rapists cannot go scot-free taking advantage of legal tangles. The doctors from the city will continue the fight for justice for the deceased doctor. On Tuesday, more than 200 doctors walked on city roads with candles, demanding justice.”