Civic Volunteer Arrested for Threatening West Bengal Doctor Amid Rising Safety Concerns
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/11th August 2024
In a disturbing incident that has heightened concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals in West Bengal, a civic volunteer named Sushanta Roy was arrested after allegedly threatening a female doctor at Bhatar State General Hospital. The arrest comes in the wake of widespread protests following the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The accused will be presented in court on Sunday morning, according to police reports.
The incident unfolded on Friday night when Roy visited Bhatar State General Hospital in Purba Bardhaman district, complaining of stomach pain and vertigo. Dr. Sutapa Naskar, the on-duty doctor, examined him and provided initial treatment. However, Roy reportedly began to behave inappropriately, causing discomfort to Dr. Naskar. When she confronted him, Roy menacingly referred to the RG Kar hospital case, saying, “You know what happened in RG Kar? I will do it here,” threatening her with the same fate as the junior doctor who had been brutally assaulted and killed.
The Bhatar incident has sparked outrage among the medical community, with doctors and hospital staff staging a protest in front of the hospital. They also gheraoed the Bhatar police station on Saturday, demanding immediate action against the accused and stricter security measures to protect healthcare workers.
Amandeep, the Superintendent of Police for Burdwan district, confirmed the arrest, stating, “We arrested the accused civic volunteer after receiving a complaint from the lady doctor.” The prompt arrest has been a small consolation to the medical fraternity, but the fear and anger following the RG Kar hospital case remain palpable.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the district, Subarna Goswami, expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it “very unfortunate.” She added that such behavior towards medical professionals, especially in the wake of recent events, is intolerable and called for exemplary punishment for the accused to serve as a deterrent.
This latest incident has exacerbated the already intense safety concerns among health officials in West Bengal. The medical community has been on edge since the horrifying crime at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which has led to widespread protests across the state’s medical institutions. Healthcare workers are demanding justice for the victim and the implementation of enhanced security measures to ensure their safety on hospital premises.
The protests highlight a growing fear among doctors and medical staff, who feel increasingly vulnerable to violence and threats in their workplaces. The West Bengal government is under mounting pressure to address these concerns and take concrete steps to protect those who dedicate their lives to serving the public.
The Bhatar hospital incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic changes to safeguard healthcare workers. As the investigation into this case progresses, the medical community and the general public await the outcomes with the hope that justice will be served and that such threats and acts of violence against doctors will be met with the full force of the law.
