Amid nationwide doctors’ protests in the wake of a rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, a Trinamool Congress leader has asked how the medicos would respond if security forces went on strike to demand action against those behind the 2019 Pulwama attack.

“With a request to doctors to end their strike, I have a question. There has been no justice in the Pulwama case. So, if jawans desert the borders and start a ‘we want justice’ strike, how would they see it?” Kunal Ghosh, senior Trinamool leader who has been articulating the party’s position in the aftermath of the rape-murder horror, said in a post on X.

চিকিৎসকদের কর্মবিরতি তোলার অনুরোধসহ প্রশ্ন-

পুলওয়ামার ঘটনার এখনও ন্যায়বিচার হয়নি। তাই পুলওয়ামায় ‘we want justice’ বলে জওয়ানরা যদি সীমান্ত ছেড়ে এসে ধর্ণায় বসেন, সেটাকে কীভাবে দেখবেন?

— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) August 21, 2024

Forty personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14 when an explosives-laden vehicle crashed into a convoy of vehicles transporting the security personnel. Less than two weeks later, jets of the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot and targeted a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp.

For the past 10 days, doctors across the country have been protesting against the chilling rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Hearing the matter yesterday, the Supreme Court set up a 10-member National Task Force to recommend steps to prevent violence against and ensure safe work conditions for healthcare professionals. “Medical professionals – doctors, nurses and paramedic staff – work round the clock. Unrestricted access to every part of healthcare institutions has made healthcare professionals susceptible to violence,” the court said.

The Trinamool leader’s remarks come at a time when the Mamata Banerjee-led party is under fire over its handling of the heinous crime. Last Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation into the sensitive case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, noting that Kolkata Police had made no significant progress in the case.

The Trinamool Congress has countered the criticism over the incident by questioning what progress the CBI has made after it took over the probe.

An Indian Air Force fighter jet “inadvertently” released an “air store” today at the Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan. The Air Force said no injuries have been reported and a court of inquiry has been ordered. 

The Indian Air Force in a statement said the incident occurred due to a technical malfunction.

“An inadvertent release of an air store from an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft took place near Pokhran firing range area, due to technical malfunction, today,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) posted on ‘X’.

An inadvertent release of an air store from an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft took place near Pokhran firing range area, due to technical malfunction, today. An enquiry by the IAF has been ordered to investigate into the incident. No damage to life or property has been…

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 21, 2024

The air store refers to external equipment or munitions attached to a fighter jet’s hard points that are located in its underbelly. These air stores can be jettisoned during combat missions. It is unknown which aircraft was involved in the incident and what the nature of the air store was. The Pokhran Firing Range is located in the Thar Desert and is an isolated area used by the Indian Armed Forces to test weapons and conduct firing exercises.  

Press Trust of India reported quoting Sub-Inspector of Ramdevra police station Shankar Lal said some people heard a loud bang about a kilometre away from the village following which they rushed to the spot and found pieces of an object lying around.

In April, the Indian Air Force conducted its biggest exercise ‘Gagan Shakti’ at the Pokhran Firing Range in Jaisalmer. The exercise witnessed all major Indian Air Force fighter jets, helicopters and aircraft. 

In response to protests over a raped and murdered doctor, Trinamool Congress compared the situation to the 2019 Pulwama attack to encourage striking doctors to return to work. Patients have faced hardships due to the ongoing strike. The Bengal chief minister has also pleaded with doctors to resume their duties. One arrest has been made in the case.