Doctors in Khulna protest the murder of Dr Rakib and demand the arrest of the murderers

Doctors in Khulna staged protests on Wednesday demanding punishment of the people who murdered Dr Abdur Rakib Khan and demanded security for doctors.

The protest took place at Khulna's Shaat Rastar More area on Wednesday afternoon.

Activists from the Bangladesh Medical Association, Bangladesh Private Hospital Clinic and Diagnostic Owners' Association and Bangladesh Private Medical Practitioners' Association took part in the protest.

The activists said that despite being near to Raisa Clinic, the police officials at the Gollamari police box did not come to the rescue of the helpless doctor when he needed help.

They also said that there is no safety for doctors at their workplaces and wanted their safety ensured.

The protestors said that the police must identify the people involved in the murder as seen on video footage, and catch them as soon as possible.

The Bangladesh Medical Association also announced in an emergency meeting that all healthcare facilities in Khulna district will be suspended until all miscreants involved in the attacks are arrested, and the officer-in-charge of Khulna Sadar Police station is withdrawn.

But the Covid-19 treatment facilities and emergency services at Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) will remain operational.

The protestors announced that they will outline their future course of action in a press conference that will be held at the Khulna Press Club on Thursday.

On the other hand, Dr Rakib's younger brother Saiful Islam filed a case against 4 of the patient's relatives and 8-10 anonymous others at Khulna Sadar police station.

Officer in Charge (OC) of Khulna Sadar police station, Aslam Bahar Bulbul said, "We have already arrested one of accused in the case named Abdur Rahim (38)."

"Attempts are being made to arrest the rest of the accused.", added OC Bulbul.

Dr Rakib, director of Raisa Clinic and Diagnostic Centre in Khulna, was injured in a scuffle with a patient's relatives at his private clinic, died on Tuesday evening while being treated at Shaheed Sheikh Abu Naser Specialised Hospital in Khulna.

On Monday night, a pregnant woman died after giving birth to a baby at the clinic, leading her relatives to bring up allegations of wrong treatment and later to the scuffle.