CM Hemant Soren Condemns Kolkata Doctor's Tragic Death

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condemned the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and urged protesting doctors to return to work. Healthcare services in Jharkhand were disrupted as doctors joined a nationwide protest. Soren assured safety for hospital staff and demanded justice for the victim.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday condemned the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He appealed to protesting medics to return to work for the sake of the patients.

Healthcare services were disrupted in Jharkhand as doctors joined the Indian Medical Association's nationwide 24-hour call for the withdrawal of non-emergency services from 6 am on Saturday.

Soren directed the DGP to ensure the safety of hospital staff. ''Regardless of how much we condemn the incident in Bengal, it's insufficient. The Bengal government and central agencies are striving to ensure that the culprits are punished severely,'' Soren said in a post on X.

''I appeal to all doctors in the state—your government stands with you in this hour of grief, but patient treatment is equally crucial. Please return to work and help make the patients healthy,'' he added.

On Saturday, IMA members, the Jharkhand State Health Association (JHSA), and the Association of Healthcare Providers marched in Ranchi to protest the Kolkata incident. ''We seek justice for the trainee doctor and condemn the vandalism at RG Kar hospital,'' IMA's state secretary Dr. Pradeep Kumar Singh said.

Singh mentioned the IMA's demand for the implementation of the Medical Protection Act (MPA) and an amendment to the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA) in Jharkhand for the benefit of doctors and patients.

Junior doctors at RIMS-Ranchi have been on strike since August 13, protesting against the rape-murder. Doctors at five other medical colleges in the state joined the strike on Friday.

(With inputs from agencies.)