Kolkata murder case: Govt invites agitating doctors for talks this evening

NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government on Wednesday invited the agitating junior doctors for talks on the ongoing impasse arising out of the alleged raped and murder of a woman medic. Following a mail sent by the medics earlier in the day, the government asked them to join a meeting at the state secretariat at 6 pm on Wednesday. "We invite your delegation preferably consisting of 12-15 colleagues to join us for a discussion at 6 PM today, i.e. 11.09.2024, in Nabanna.

A list of the members of your delegation may please be intimated by email. We look forward to your positive response and hope for a fruitful dialogue," State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said in the letter. However, it has not been mentioned whether the meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or not. Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal on Wednesday sent an email to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking an appointment to discuss the ongoing impasse arising out of the alleged rape and murder of an on-duty medic at a state-run hospital here last month.

In their mail, the medics mentioned that they were open for a meeting "anytime and anywhere", provided that the entire discussion must be streamed live, a doctor said. "We have written to the CM madam for a meeting, which could be arranged anytime today or tomorrow and anywhere of her choice. But the meeting should be streamed live," one of the junior doctors told PTI. He also claimed that the e-mail was sent around 3.50 am but "no response" from the government has been received so far.

The agitating doctors, who have been demonstrating outside Swathya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters, for more than 22 hours, demanding that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the state health secretary, director of health education (DHE), and the director of health services (DHS) be removed from their posts. They also demanded adequate safety and security measures for all women health professionals in the state.

Defying Supreme Court's directive to join duties by 5 PM on September 10, the protesting junior doctors continued with their cease work for the 33rd day on Wednesday to press their demand for justice for the medic who was allegedly raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.

The body of the postgraduate trainee was recovered from the hospital on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested the next day in connection with the crime. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting a probe into the alleged rape and murder of the woman medic, following a Calcutta High Court order.