Nationwide Protests Erupt as Medics Demand Justice for Slain Doctor

Doctors across India, including at AIIMS Bathinda, continue to protest in solidarity for a female doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. OPD services were disrupted, and medical professionals are calling for justice amid allegations of evidence tampering.

Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Bathinda, continued their protest on Friday, demanding justice for a woman doctor allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. OPD services remained closed in the morning, a sign of the intensifying protest.

"We kept OPD services closed in the morning. We will keep OPD closed tomorrow as well. Higher authorities are supporting us in this long fight. There is an attempt to destroy evidence at the crime site, and protesters faced violence from a group of goons," said Dr. Jyotkamal at AIIMS Bathinda.

Another protesting doctor, Dr. Amreen, described the incident as a "heinous crime." She added, "Everyone's heart is shaken. If we can't feel secure at our workplace, where is safety then? Doctors sacrifice their lives and study hard. We're also organizing a peaceful march this evening." Nationwide protests have seen disruptions in medical services, with AIIMS Delhi reporting reduced operation theatre services and admissions.

Despite the protests, emergency services and ICUs are functioning normally. However, OPD services are down by 55%, laboratory services by 20%, radiological investigations by 40%, and nuclear medicine by 20%. Blood banks remain operational. Protests follow the Federation of All India Medical Association's (FAIMA) call for a nationwide shutdown of OPD services in solidarity against the crime committed on August 9.

Earlier today, teams from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) arrived at RG Kar Medical College to investigate. Following a Calcutta High Court order, the CBI has taken over the case, deploying specialized medical and forensic teams from Delhi.