Kolkata doctor's rape-murder: Maharashtra resident doctors to strike from Tuesday

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) on Monday morning said resident doctors across the state would halt work, except for emergency services, from Tuesday in solidarity with residents of R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata.
This follows a nationwide strike call by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) on Monday demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
"We write today to express our profound grief and outrage towards the tragic incident of physical assault, rape and murder of a second year PG resident from R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata," said the letter signed by MARD Maharashtra president Dr Aditi Kanade.
MARD's letter on Sunday had asked state authorities to take steps to improve security for resident doctors at public hospitals. However, it has since decided to support the nationwide halting of elective services which will include OPDs, elective operations, ward duties, lab services and academic duties from Tuesday.
All emergency services will be continued as usual, said the letter.
MARD Maharashtra has asked for "immediate, Impartial and transparent" investigation into the Kolkata crime by central agencies. "There should be no police brutality against protesting doctors. And an expert committee should be set up to speed up the implementation of The Central Healthcare Protection Act," said the MARD representatives.
There will be a candlelight march at various medical colleges this evening.