Kolkata doctors begin indefinite hunger strike, claim demands not met

The doctors held a sit-in demonstration on Friday and had set a 24-hour deadline for the state government to fulfil their demands. However, as their demands were not met, they began an indefinite hungerstrike from Saturday evening.

In Short

• Six doctors go on indefinite hunger strike in Kolkata
• Doctors had given 24-hour ultimatum for fulfilment of demands
• Demands include better security at hospital, removal of health secretary

The doctors protesting over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, began their 'indefinite' hunger strike on Saturday evening, claiming that their demands have not yet been fulfilled.

Six doctors were chosen to participate in the hunger strike after a meeting. The six doctors who are sitting on the fast include, Snigdha Hazra, Anustup Mukhopadhyay and Tanaya Panja of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, SSKM's Arnab Mukhopadhyay, Pulastha Acharya of NRS Medical College and Hospital, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra of KPC Medical College.

On Friday, the doctors held a sit-in demonstration at the Dorina Crossing in Kolkata's Dharmatala and had set a 24-hour deadline for the state government to fulfil their demands. However, as their demands were not fulfilled, the doctors began a fast unto death on Saturday.

"The state government has failed the deadline and hence we are starting the fast unto death, which will continue till our demands are fulfilled. To maintain transparency, we have installed CCTV cameras at the dais where our colleagues are holding the fast," a junior doctor was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The state would be held responsible if any doctor fell ill during the fast, the doctor added.

Earlier on Saturday, the doctors alleged that the police were not allowing them to set up a stage for the protest.

The doctors further alleged that they were also lathi-charged by the police on Friday night. The Kolkata Police has promised them necessary action in the case and has asked them to identify the police personnel involved in the incident and lodge a complaint against them.

The police had earlier denied the doctors' request for permission for the sit-in, stating that the road witnessed heavy traffic flow.

The doctors' demands include immediate justice for the post-graduate trainee doctor without delay in the judicial process, removal of the health secretary due to administrative incompetence and corruption, increased police protection in hospitals, and hiring permanent female police personnel, among others.