Last updated:
Doctors protest at RLM Hospital in Delhi. (Photo/News 18)
The Home Ministry has also provided fax and WhatsApp numbers and email IDs to the state police force so that bi-hourly situation reports can be sent
The Union Home Ministry has asked all state police forces to provide situation reports every two hours following protests by doctors, paramedics and others over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College.
In a letter to the state police force, the home ministry said the law and order situation in all states should be monitored in view of the protests.
“Going forward, the law and order situation in this regard may be sent to the Home Ministry Control Room (New Delhi) via fax/email/WhatsApp for two consecutive hours starting from 1600 hours today,” the communication sent on Friday said.
The home department has also provided fax and WhatsApp numbers and email IDs to the state police force so that bi-hourly situation reports can be sent.
On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The next day, a citizen volunteer of Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the crime. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday handed over the case to India's Central Bureau of Investigation.
Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, a group of people entered the hospital and vandalized parts of the medical facilities during a women's protest against a rape and murder.
Doctors and other medical staff have been protesting across the country, affecting the functioning of medical facilities. They are pressing for a central law to curb violence against healthcare workers, declare hospitals as safe zones and provide mandatory security rights, among other requirements.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from United News Agency-PTI)
