Doctors in India called for a nationwide shutdown of medical services as the protest movement intensified on Friday over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in the eastern city of Kolkata.
The 24-hour suspension will begin from Saturday morning, the Indian Medical Association said on Thursday, but emergency services will remain available. It would be the largest strike in about a decade.
A trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in West Bengal state, was sexually assaulted and killed on August 9. The body of the 31-year-old woman was discovered in the government-run hospital severe injuries, including to her head.
"Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession," the medical association said in a statement on X on Thursday. "It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses."
The announcement of the strike came a day after a mob attacked the hospital as protesters, mostly women, gathered for a midnight march. Demonstrators named the female doctor as Abhaya, which means "fearless". The name of a victim of sexual assault cannot be publicly disclosed, under Indian law.
A civic volunteer was arrested a day after the doctor's body was found, but her colleagues and family say more than one person was involved in the assault. They have accused police of mismanaging the investigation or trying to protect those responsible.
Junior doctors across India have staged protests since the start of the week. This action led to outpatient departments being closed and disruption to elective services.
On Wednesday, about 40 people vandalised the hospital as dozens outside protested against the assault. Some threw stones at police, who fired tear gas. Police arrested 19 people in connection with the vandalism.
War of words
The attack on the doctor has led to a war of words between the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, leader of the TMC, is expected to lead a rally in Kolkata on Friday evening to demand justice for the woman and call for the accused to face the death penalty if convicted.
The BJP is also to hold protests in the city on Friday. The party said Ms Banerjee’s government failed to uphold law and order in the state.
The incident has been compared to a 2012 attack on a physiotherapy student in New Delhi. Nirbhaya, 23, died from her injuries after being raped by six men on a bus.
It led to protests across India and the government promised to overhaul the judiciary and rape laws. New Delhi promised in 2017 to set up 1,800 fast-track courts for sexual assault cases, but only 722 are in operation, with about 600,000 cases pending.
Only 32 per cent rape cases resulted in convictions in 2017, government data found. Many ended in acquittal because of errors in investigations, or after victims withdrew their complaints.
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Results
Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
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England v South Africa schedule
- First Test: Starts Thursday, Lord's, 2pm (UAE)
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
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The specs
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
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THE SPECS
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
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The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
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