Kangra doctors go on strike over Kolkata medic’s rape-murder

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 17

Doctors of Kangra district today went on a strike in protest against the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. Except emergency services, all other medical facilities at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda, and the Zonal Hospital, Dharamsala, remained suspended.

The doctors of Tanda medical college held a protest march against the heinous crime committed in Kolkata. Dr Munish Saroch, president of the Teachers’ Association of Medical College Tanda, said that the protest was carried out along with the Resident Doctors’ Association and the Nursing Association of the college.

The protest march proceeded towards Sadarpur Chowk. Dr Saroch said that they stood firmly and united against the increasing attacks on medical practitioners and women around the country. Many patients, who had come from far-flung areas of Mandi, Kangra and Chamba districts for consultation and treatment, had to a harrowing time.

One of the patients Mahinder Singh, who had come from Mandi, said that he wanted to meet an orthopaedician but the doctors were on strike. Since the next day was Sunday, I would have to stay here for two days in hope of treatment, he added.

Nearly 3,000 patients from far-flung areas of Kangra, Chamba, Hamirpur and Mandi districts daily come to the hospital for treatment and consultation.