Imphal: Medical professionals in Manipur staged a sit-in protest on Sunday, aligning with a 12-hour hunger strike held in Kolkata by the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (IMAJDN). The protests are part of ongoing demonstrations demanding justice in the tragic RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, which has shaken the medical fraternity across India.
At both the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, resident doctors gathered outside the Outpatient Department (OPD) blocks to express their outrage and frustration. The Manipur protest was held in solidarity with the IMAJDN’s one-day fast, which took place on medical campuses nationwide.
One of the protesting doctors voiced his disappointment at the continued failure to secure justice for the victim, despite 90 days of protests. He stressed, “An attack on one doctor is an attack on the entire medical fraternity. The authorities must deliver justice for the victim swiftly.”
Dr. RK Lenin, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Manipur State Branch, described the case as a “sad moment” for the entire medical community, particularly junior doctors. “In solidarity with our colleagues in West Bengal, who are on hunger strike for justice for our sister Abhaya and demanding improved security for doctors, we in Manipur are also raising our voices,” Lenin stated.
He expressed concern over the lack of security and mental health support for doctors, which often leads to distress within the profession. “Despite providing essential services with humanity, doctors are often mistreated, sometimes even driven to suicide,” he said, urging the authorities to take these issues seriously.
Dr. Lenin also highlighted the frequent threats and attacks that doctors in Manipur face, particularly when unfortunate incidents beyond their control occur. “It is essential for both the government and the people to ensure the safety of healthcare providers and maintain calm during such times. Doctors never intentionally harm patients or their families. If any wrongdoing is proven, let the law take its course.”
The medical professionals participating in the protest emphasized the need for immediate justice for the victim in the RG Kar case and urged the government to take steps to protect doctors from violence and threats. The protests are expected to continue if demands are not met.