Kolkata

The Kolkata Police on Thursday urged seven junior doctors, who have been on a hunger strike at Esplanade to protest the rape and murder of a colleague from R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, to end their strike and seek medical treatment. The officer-in-charge of Hare Street Police Station delivered a letter to the doctors, asking them to vacate the protest site and get admitted to a medical facility for care.

This action followed a senior doctor’s report that one of the protesters, Aniket Mahato, was in critical condition and needed immediate hospitalization. However, the junior doctors claim the police focused more on the fact that their protest platform was set up without administrative permission, rather than their health concerns.

A representative of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF), which is leading the protest, expressed frustration, stating that the police seem more concerned about the technicalities of the protest than the wellbeing of the protesters. Despite prior police requests for the doctors to vacate and use ambulances, the protesters refused, continuing their demonstration.

The police have also coordinated with the State Health Department to arrange medical officers for the striking doctors, emphasizing the need for them to receive medical assistance.

Transgender group: RG Kar tragedy dampens festive spirit

Garima Griho, Kolkata’s only transgender-organized Durga Puja, shared that the festive spirit has been dampened by the tragic RG Kar incident. Ranjita Sinha, a leading transgender rights activist, explained that despite grand plans for their seventh Puja, the tragedy has overshadowed the celebrations. Sinha emphasized that while they are performing traditional rituals, the mood is subdued as they reflect on the victim’s family. The transgender community has been actively protesting the crime, participating in rallies across West Bengal. Notably, their Durga idol is not immersed but preserved throughout the year to avoid the pain of separation.