Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: Assam's SMCH Retracts Adivsory For Doctors Amid Backlash From Students

Guwahati: Assam's Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH)  is facing severe backlash over its recent advisory for the female doctors and other staff urging them to not roam alone at night. The advisory comes given the Kolkata rape and murder horror where a trainee doctor was sexually assaulted at the RG Kar Hospital the previous week.

SMCH's principal cum chief superintendent of the institute, Dr Bhaskar Gupta suggested female doctors and other staff avoid roaming in the isolated, poorly lit, and sparsely populated areas at night.

"Female doctors, students, and staff should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone. Refrain from leaving hostel or lodging rooms during night hours unless absolutely necessary, with prior information to the concerned authority," the notice read.

The principal further urged the staff and students to avoid going off-campus during late night or odd hours. It added that hostel borders should also abide by the hostel norms and regulations laid by the institute and administration.

"While on duty you should be well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should graciously interact with the public, so that you don't attract unnecessary attention from unscrupulous people," Gupta wrote.

"This is issued in the greater interest of doctors, students and staff members of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, with special emphasis on female members."

However, students strongly criticised the move saying that the authorities should improve their security arrangements instead of asking them to stay in their rooms.

As per media reports, the Junio Doctors' Association (JDS) of SMCH also condemned the attack saying that the words used in the advisory are disturbing.

The students of SMCH on Monday staged a protest and a candle march against the RG Kar incident to remember the deceased doctor in that incident.

Responding to the backlash, the principal said that t the authorities would withdraw the existing advisory and issue a fresh one.

"We will cancel it and issue a new advisory tomorrow," he said.