Indian protesters demand justice over rape, murder of doctor

Protests continue across India over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor while on shift at a Kolkata hospital amid growing demands for women's justice.

Protesters took to the streets of Indian cities on Thursday, demanding justice for the victim, tougher legislation to protect healthcare workers and an end to the chronic issue of violence against women in Indian society.

"The atrocities against women do not stop," Monalisa Guha, one of the protesters told Kolkata's The Telegraph newspaper.

"We face harassment almost on a daily basis," another marcher, Sangeeta Halder, told the daily. "But not stepping out because of fear is not the solution."

Since Monday, doctors in Indian state-run hospitals across several states have launched a strike, stopping some of the medical services "indefinitely".

Since then, similar strikes have occurred in several other hospitals across the country, including in the capital.

The doctors are demanding swift justice and better workplace security.

"Doctors nationwide are questioning what is so difficult about enacting a law for our security," Dhruv Chauhan, from the Indian Medical Association's Junior Doctors' Network, told the Press Trust of India news agency.

"The strike will continue until all demands are formally met".

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in New Delhi on Thursday morning at independence day celebrations, demanded a swift punishment for those who commit "monstrous" deeds against women.

He did not specifically make reference to the doctor's brutal rape and murder but expressed his "pain" at violence against women.

"There is anger for atrocities committed against our mothers and sisters, there is anger in the nation about that," he said.

"Crimes against women should be quickly investigated; monstrous behavior against women should be severely and quickly punished," he added. "That is essential for creating deterrence and confidence in the society."

The brutalized body of the female resident doctor, aged 31, was found inside a seminar hall of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

An 11-member committee has been formed to investigate the "unnatural" death of the second-year woman postgraduate medical student.

A shroud of silence remains surrounding the name of the woman, who has been linked to the son of a TMC Party leader, who is reportedly the main suspect in the crime.

The deceased woman’s family has alleged that the facts regarding the rape and murder at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital are being concealed from the public and a cover-up is going on.

“We believe she was sexually assaulted and murdered. The matter is being covered up,” the victim’s father has reportedly said.

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