"Same old syndicate culture": WB doctors on hunger strike accuse govt of obstructing protests

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 6 : Junior doctors in West Bengal, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, have accused the authorities of obstructing their protest. They allege that the state police are using intimidation tactics, blocking essential supplies like water and bio-toilets, and even assaulting a junior doctor on the very first day of the protest.
Junior doctors from the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front have begun an indefinite hunger strike in Kolkata over the RG Kar rape and murder case, demanding that the state government fulfil their long-pending demands. The protest is being held at Dharmatala, where doctors are refusing to resume work until their issues are addressed.
The protest, which began two days ago, has seen doctors fasting since yesterday, with no response from the authorities.
Dr Abid Hasan, a junior doctor leading the strike, expressed the frustration of the medical community. Speaking to ANI, Hasan said, "People who have gathered here in such numbers are representing the government. Since we started our first movement, the government has not conducted any review of our situation."
The junior doctors have sent multiple emails to the authorities, but there has been no response. Further, the protesting doctors said, "We have sent many emails to the authorities on behalf of the people, but they have not responded to us in any way. They haven't even tried to find out how we are doing."
The protesters are facing additional challenges from the police, who, according to Dr. Hasan, are using intimidation tactics. "The police are coming and threatening us in many ways, making it very difficult for us to stay here. They are blocking essential services like the bio-toilets and water supply that were supposed to arrive. The people we hired to set up infrastructure here are being threatened." he said.
Dr. Hasan also alleged that one of their juniors was assaulted by the police on the first day of the protest.
"On the very first day, the police assaulted one of our juniors, sent him away, and even beat him up. It's clear to us what the authorities are trying to do, but they aren't directly responding to us. The only thing they're doing is continuing the same old syndicate culture and harassment through the police, just like they have been since day one", the protesting doctor said.
Despite these challenges, the junior doctors remain determined to continue the strike. Dr Hasan added,"It has been decided that this hunger strike will continue indefinitely until no one's life is at risk. Our seniors and others are fully prepared to fast for as long as it takes."
The doctors hope that growing public support will help pressure the government to meet their demands. "By now, the common people have come to know about our cause, which is why so many of them are regularly joining us," Dr Hasan told ANI.
Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, said, "We came to Dharmatala yesterday with ten demands, and we were given some assurances, so we returned to work. But now, we want our demands to be fulfilled immediately, which is why we are sitting on this hunger strike today. We want the State, CBI, and the Supreme Court to look into our demands and fulfil them as soon as possible."
The protest follows an incident at RG Kar Hospital where a 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered.
Mahato alleged, "After the incident on August 9, we have seen a lot of negligence from the police. Even the Supreme Court mentioned that there has been mishandling and evidence tampering, which is the fault of the police. The incident on August 15, too, was a clear failure of the State Police. So, there has been consistent carelessness from the police regarding this movement, and we want the police to do their job while we continue our protest peacefully."
"Currently, six people are sitting on the hunger strike, but so far, there has been no communication from the government. We want discussions to happen, and for our demands to be fulfilled. Until that happens, the hunger strike will continue. We are not receiving support from the police, state administration, or any other authorities, but we don't want support--we just want our demands to be met", the junior doctor said.
West Bengal junior doctors on Saturday announced a hunger strike to protest against the rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Earlier on Friday, The doctors had issued the Bengal state government a 24-hour ultimatum to meet their demands, warning that they would begin an indefinite hunger strike if unmet.