Union Home Ministry Orders Two-Hourly Situation Reports Amid Kolkata Protests; Centre to Form Committee on Healthcare Safety

The Union Home Ministry has instructed state police forces to provide updates every two hours on the situation amid protests over the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. Starting at 4 pm on Friday, the police are required to send updates via fax, email, or WhatsApp to the MHA control room in New Delhi.

The home ministry’s directive states, “The competent authority wishes to monitor the law and order situation in your state/UT following the murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. Please ensure continuous two-hourly law and order situation reports are sent to the MHA control room.”

The protests erupted after a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on August 9 while on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A Kolkata Police civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime the following day. On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI. During protests on Wednesday night, a mob vandalized parts of the hospital. Medical staff across the country have been striking, disrupting health services, and calling for a central law to protect healthcare workers and secure hospitals.

In response, the Union government announced on Saturday that it will establish a committee to propose safety measures for healthcare professionals. This committee will include representatives from various stakeholders, including state governments, to gather recommendations. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) organized a nationwide 24-hour strike that disrupted OPD services.