ASSAM: Doctors across Assam joined a nationwide protest on Saturday, expressing outrage over the recent rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata hospital. The demonstration aimed to demand strict punishment for the perpetrators and call for a central law to protect medical professionals.

In response to the incident, out-patient and non-essential services were significantly reduced in hospitals throughout Assam. Medical staff gathered at their workplaces, donning black badges and holding placards to voice their concerns.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) organized a 24-hour strike starting at 6 am on August 17, withdrawing non-emergency medical services to highlight the severity of the crime. The protest spans all areas where modern medicine is practiced.

"We are demanding justice for the victim and her family. Our primary goal is to raise awareness and education in society to prevent such crimes," stated a resident doctor from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Another junior doctor emphasized the lack of security for medical staff, saying, "We often face unpredictable duty hours and inadequate protection. How can we perform our duties effectively under such conditions?"

Doctors at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh voiced concerns about the overall security situation, stating that the protest reflects broader insecurities faced by people in various sectors.

"This protest also highlights the general insecurity we experience. We are demanding the immediate arrest of all individuals involved in shielding the culprits," a protesting doctor noted.

At Rupnath Brahma Civil Hospital in Kokrajhar, doctors expressed hope that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will ensure a prompt resolution to the case. They also reiterated the call for a central legislation to safeguard medical professionals.

In Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, a doctor called for the installation of CCTV cameras to enhance safety for on-duty medical staff.

Similar protests were seen in Nagaon, Golaghat, and other locations, with demonstrators holding signs bearing slogans such as "No safety, no duty," "No Justice, no peace," "Stop shielding rapists," "Doctor life matters," "Stop rape," and "We want justice."

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