Page 6 - The Indian EYE 083024

NATION AUGUST 30, 2024 | The Indian Eye 6

KOLKATA CRIME

Tension eases a bit in West Bengal as Supreme

Court takes control of rape & murder case

The apex court has assured that no adverse action will be taken against doctors

who have participated in protests prior to this ruling

OUR BUREAU
Kolkata/New Delhi

he United Doctors Front Association (UDFA)
has suspended the nationwide strike, protest-
Ting the Kolkata rape and murder of trainee
doctor, following a Supreme Court’s directive on
Thursday. “In response to the Supreme Court’s pro-
active and reassuring directives, UDFA has resolved
to suspend the ongoing nationwide strike. This de-
cision is rooted in our unwavering commitment to
patient care and our confidence in the judiciary’s
ability to address the pressing concerns of the med-
ical fraternity,” a UDFA release said on Thursday.
The UDFA expressed gratitude to the top court
for recognizing the gravity of our concerns and tak-
ing swift action. The UDFA also emphasized the
urgent need for the establishment of a Central Pro-
tection Act (CPA) to provide comprehensive legal
safeguards for healthcare professionals.
“UDFA remains vigilant and committed to ad-
vocating for this critical legislation, which is essential
for the long-term security of medical practitioners in
India,” the release mentioned.
On August 22, the Supreme Court directed the
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Lawyers stage a protest march against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata RG
engage with the Chief Secretaries and Directors Kar Hospital, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)
General of Police across all states and Union Terri-
tories. The directive includes an unequivocal man- The step was taken after the Supreme Court, on ee doctor was raped and murdered.
date for state governments and Union Territories Tuesday, asked to hand over the security of Kolk- As the nation fumes over the RG Kar medical
to establish and enforce minimum safety standards ata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the hospital incident, igniting discussions and protests
in all medical institutions. CISF as it heard the suo motu case of the rape and on crime against women in India, West Bengal
The apex court has assured that no adverse murder of the trainee doctor there. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a letter to PM
action will be taken against doctors who have par- Earlier on August 21, the Union Ministry of Modi wrote, “I wish to bring your kind attention to
ticipated in protests prior to this ruling. It has also Home Affairs (MHA) wrote a letter to the Chief the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cas-
instructed the installation of CCTV cameras and Secretary of West Bengal on the deployment of CISF es throughout the country and in many cases, rapes
call distress systems in medical establishments. The personnel at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital with murder are committed.”
court also affirmed UDFA’s role as a key stakehold- in Kolkata in response to the rising protests following Mamata, in the letter, mentioned that such
er in the ongoing National Task Force discussions. the rape and murder incident of a postgraduate train- “sensitive” issues need to be addressed compre-
The apex court has imposed stringent timelines ee doctor of the institution. This move comes as West hensively through stringent central legalization pre-
for action. The Union Health Ministry, along with Bengal faces a period of heightened agitation, with scribing exemplary punishment against the persons
state authorities, is required to complete consulta- protesters voicing various grievances. The CISF’s in- involved in such dastardly crimes.
tions within one week, followed by prompt imple- tervention is expected to bolster security efforts and The Bengal Chief Minister suggested setting up
mentation within the subsequent two weeks. help mitigate any potential threats to public peace. of “fast track special courts” to deal with such cases,
Following the Supreme Court’s order to hand Meanwhile, urging the central government to which need a speedy trial.
over security of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College bring in central legalization and set up fast-track “To ensure justice, trial in such cases should pref-
and Hospital to the Central Industrial Security Force courts for “sensitive” issues, to ensure fast speedy erably be completed within 15 days,” the letter fur-
(CISF) during the hearing of the suo motu case of trial, West Bengal Mamata Banerjee on Thursday ther read. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
the rape and murder of the trainee doctor there, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Banerjee is facing a huge backlash from the opposi-
CISF personnel were deployed to beef up the secu- the wake of the national outrage over the RG Kar tion over the safety and security of women in her state
rity at the hospital and college complex in all shifts. medical hospital incident where a second-year train- after the horrific RG Kar medical hospital incident.

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