The brutal killing of the doctor at the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Calcutta has prompted the authorities of the state-run nursing training school in Balurghat of South
Dinajpur to draw up a plan to provide self-defense lessons to its nursing students.
Located in ward one of Balurghat town, the school has 180 female students pursuing the BSc (Nursing) course. All stay at a hostel nearby.
“The incident at RG Kar has shaken us all. That is why we have decided to provide self-defense training to all our students. We did teach yoga in the school but from now on, the girls would be trained in karate and taekwondo so that they defend themselves. We have also informed the higher authorities that this training would be compulsory for all the students here,” said Anindita Das, the principal.
“The plan is to start the training from next month,” added a source.
After the RG Kar incident, the nursing school authorities flagged some areas of concern.
“There are only 11 CCTV cameras on our campus here. We need at least 25 to 30 more cameras for full-fledged digital surveillance. There are some blind spots. Illumination in those areas is necessary,” said a source.
Sudip Das, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) of South Dinajpur, hailed the decision. “Self-defence training is necessary for girls,” he said.