Patients are being turned away from hospitals and clinics across India as more than a million doctors are set to join a strike in protest at the rape and murder of a trainee medic.

The 24-hour strike began at 6am local time (1.30am UK time) with non-emergency treatment such as outpatient appointments and elective procedures cancelled, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The mass walkout paralysed hospitals as staff from medical colleges were drafted in to help with emergency cases.

The strike was triggered by the killing of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, whose body was found on 9 August at the college where she worked in Kolkata.

A police volunteer was arrested but the victim’s family believe it was a gang rape and that more people were involved.

The case has drawn comparisons with the notorious rape and murder of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012.

People demonstrated near parliament in the capital on Friday – as well as cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai – calling for tougher sentences and guarantees of safety for doctors.

‘It boils my blood’: Protests over rape and murder of doctor in India result in hundreds of arrests

Indian hospitals disrupted as thousands of medics protest after rape and murder

Big question for BT after Indian billionaire snaps up stake

The facility where the doctor was killed, the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was attacked on Wednesday.

“Doctors, especially women are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession,” said the IMA in a statement on X.

“It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses.”

Sexual violence against women and girls is a widespread problem in India with 31,516 reports of rape in 2022 – a 20% increase on 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.

Many are believed to go unreported due to a stigma over sexual assault and a lack of faith in the police.

The medical college case is being handled by India’s central bureau of investigation after state government officers were accused of mishandling the case.

Read more from Sky News:
Ukraine destroys key Russian bridge
Biden ‘optimistic’ about Gaza ceasefire deal

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Medical students and the school’s principal have been questioned, according to a police source.

In a separate case, there have also been protests this week in the northern state of Uttarakhand after a 33-year-old nurse was raped and murdered in Rampur on 1 August.

Bollywood stars and other celebrities in India have joined the renewed call for tougher sentences.

“Monstrous behaviour against women should be severely and promptly punished,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on Thursday to mark Independence Day.

Related posts:

Biden and Putin agree to return ambassadors to posts in bid to lower tensions Norway bow and arrow attacks that killed five ‘appears to be act of terrorism’, country’s security agency says Shelling ramps up on Ukraine’s frontline as hostilities intensify All they will inherit is rubble – relentless Russian bombardment continues as they close on Lysychansk What we know about the passengers on board missing Titanic submersible Titanic submersible rescue operation a race against time as oxygen supply dwindles German businesses ‘should consider allowing staff siestas’ as temperatures hit 38C Putin will not attend summit in South Africa amid arrest warrant Gaza deadline: What happens next? | Antisemitism concerns in UK Explosions in Kyiv as city is ‘under air attack’ Pakistan is in political limbo after election upset – so what’s next? Telling line shows Biden has run out of patience – and bold move on ceasefire might just work