Meeting between agitating junior doctors, West Bengal government begins at Mamata’s Kalighat home

Agitating junior doctors meet with West Bengal CM to resolve RG Kar hospital impasse, demanding accountability and improved security.

The first round of talks between the West Bengal Government and the agitating junior doctors began at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat on Monday (September 16, 2024) evening to address the R.G. Kar impasse.

The protesters said they would not settle for anything less than the five demands they had previously placed before the Government.

The medics demanded accountability and punishment for those responsible for the rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 and the “destruction” of evidence; strict action against the former medical college principal Sandip Ghosh; resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam; improved security for healthcare workers; and the eradication of the “threat culture” in government healthcare institutions.

After four unsuccessful bids to initiate a dialogue to resolve the deadlock, a delegation of agitating junior doctors arrived at Banerjee’s residence for the crucial talks.

The previous attempts to resolve the issue got stuck due to the State Government’s rejection of the doctors’ demand for live-streaming and video recording of the meeting.

The agitating medics later agreed to a compromise, now only asking to record the minutes of the meeting and receive a signed copy.

The state government accepted this condition, with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant saying both parties will sign the minutes of the meeting and share copies for clarity.