Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed optimism following her meeting with protesting junior doctors, stating that the discussion had been productive. She mentioned that the state government had agreed to three of their five demands, including the removal of two senior health officials and the police chief responsible for the zone where RG Kar Medical College is located. This college had been the center of protests following the rape and murder of a young doctor. Although the impasse seemed to be resolved, the protests were expected to continue until formal orders were issued.
Banerjee stated, "I think the meeting was positive. Am sure they think too. Why else would we sign the minutes together?" She further emphasized that the government had accepted almost all the doctors' demands, citing the strained healthcare situation, particularly in light of recent floods in some areas. She also appealed to the doctors to consider the patients' conditions and hoped they would end the strike soon.
Despite the government's assurances, the junior doctors insisted that they would only end their strike once formal action was taken. A representative from the Junior Doctors' Forum mentioned that they had only received verbal promises so far and were determined to continue their protest until real change was observed. Alongside this, they highlighted their ongoing demand to dismantle what they saw as a corrupt system within the hospital.
The state government made several commitments, including earmarking ₹100 crore for the improvement of hospital infrastructure. While the two top health officials, including the Director of Medical Education and the Director of Health Services, were to be transferred, Banerjee clarified that they were not being penalized but moved to other roles due to the doctors' lack of confidence in them.
Initially, Banerjee had defended the city's police chief, Vineet Goyal, stating he would remain in his position at least until Durga Puja. However, his removal became a key demand after the police's handling of the investigation into the doctor's murder faced severe criticism. Allegations of evidence tampering and a lack of transparency in the case were highlighted by both the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court.
The junior doctors had earlier rejected two attempts at dialogue but eventually agreed to the "fifth and final invitation for talks" from the Chief Minister. The meeting, held at Banerjee's residence, began after a delay and stretched into the night, with a detailed record of the discussion signed by 40 doctors.
Their protest had garnered widespread support, with doctors across India showing solidarity. Despite this, doctors in Bengal had continued their strike, demanding justice for the 31-year-old doctor who was raped and murdered at the hospital on August 9. The key suspect, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, was arrested, but many aspects of the investigation had raised concerns, including inconsistent information provided to the victim's family and allegations of police interference during the cremation.
The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has arrested the hospital’s former principal and a senior police officer for their involvement in alleged evidence tampering. The ongoing investigation is expected to bring further clarity to the case.
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