New RG Kar Hospital Principal Suhrita Paul sacked following students’ protest

Suhrita Paul, who was appointed principal of the medical college days after the protest started, has also been removed.

Manas Kumar Bandyopadhyay has been named as the new principal of RG Kar Hospital, while Paul has been made the principal of the Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital.

Doctors protest against the sexual assault and killing of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, near AIIMS in New Delhi, Monday. (PTI)

The head of the chest medicine department at RG Kar Hospital, Dr Arunabha Datta Chaudhuri, has been transferred to the Malda Medical College and Hospital, according to the order.

The government also cancelled the appointment of Dr Sandeep Ghosh as the principal of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital as demanded by the protesting junior doctors. Ghosh was appointed principal of CNMCH within hours of him resigning as the principal of RG Kar Hospital in the wake of the rape-murder incident. Later, the Calcutta High Court directed him to go on leave. He is being questioned by the CBI. On Wednesday, Ghosh was questioned for the sixth straight day.

“As per the demands of the junior doctors, we are bringing in some changes for which we have no objection. We want normalcy to be back and healthcare services to be regularised. Security arrangements have also been enhanced,” Principal Secretary (Health Department) Narayan Swarup Nigam told mediapersons after meeting a delegation of junior doctors.

Police personnel produce the accused arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court has sent the accused to 14-day police custody. (PTI Photo)

The junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital, who have been on cease work since August 9 evening in protest against the rape and murder of their colleague, on Wednesday held a march from the CGO complex where the CBI office is located to Swasthya Bhawan, the head office of state Health Department.

The march, which was joined by people in a large number, ended with a dharna outside Swasthya Bhawan where a huge police force was deployed.

Late in the evening, top officials of the state Health Department, including Nigam, met with a delegation of junior doctors, who gave them a list of their demands.

Meanwhile, there was several protests in different parts of the city.

BJP leaders walked alongside eminent personalities and common citizens from Moulali to Dorina Crossing in Kolkata. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also took part in it. The rally was organised by various outfits. The BJP demanded the removal of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well as the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. Bengal BJP president and Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumder said, “The initial investigation into the murder of the RG Kar victim was not done properly and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal should be held responsible. So, he should not be in this position.”

The Association Of Chest Physicians also held a press conference demanding justice for the victim. “This incident has united the country. In fact throughout the world the message has gone. The fact is we are all together fighting for justice which is creating pressure on all the authorities responsible and accountable for this,” said Dr Raja Dhar of Association of Chest Physicians.

IT industry workers took part in a separate protest  on Wednesday. A procession was taken out in Salt Lake. Another procession was taken out in the IT hub of Rajarhat. Besides, students of south Kolkata’s Ashutosh College also took to the streets on Wednesday. A procession was held in the area adjacent to Hazra More.