Various doctors’ forums and associations continued their protests across the country over the rape and murder of a doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Our correspondent reports that only emergency services are open in various cities. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for a 24-hour strike yesterday.

In West Bengal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is interrogating the principal of the Medical College, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, in Kolkata. A team from the agency is investigating at the hospital, and another team is at the location of the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy. In a related development, the Left and Congress are protesting the incident in all districts of the state today. On the other hand, the ruling Trinamool Congress also took out rallies in Kolkata and other places demanding the hanging of the criminals involved in the incident.

In Tamil Nadu, OPD services and elective surgeries in private hospitals were cancelled today to stand in solidarity with those on strike demanding justice for the murdered doctor in Kolkata. The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association also joined them, but only for one hour. The State President of the IMA state unit, K. M. Abdul Hasan, said that instructions were issued to ensure that emergency medical services are not affected in private hospitals.

In Maharashtra, doctors’ associations throughout the state have joined the strike, leading to the suspension of patient services in many general hospitals. The BMC MARD, representing resident doctors from Sion, Nair, Cooper, and KEM hospitals in Mumbai, staged a protest at Azad Maidan, with participants holding placards demanding justice for the victim and condemning the mob attack on R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.