Following Banerjee’s visit, the state government extended an invitation to the agitating doctors for a meeting. (ANI)
Kolkata rape-murder case: Junior doctors on Saturday welcomed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s surprise visit to their protest site. The doctors, who have been proteting outside the state health department's headquarters, ‘Swasthya Bhavan,’ since Tuesday, expressed their willingness to engage in discussions with the Chief Minister to address their five-point demands.
Dr. Arif, a spokesperson for the protesting doctors, stated, “We are pleased that the door for dialogue has been opened. We have communicated our readiness to discuss the issues directly with the Chief Minister. We hope this meeting will pave the way for resolving the ongoing impasse.”
Following Banerjee’s visit, the state government extended an invitation to the agitating doctors for a meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence, scheduled for 6 pm on Saturday. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant confirmed that 15 representatives from the protest group were invited to participate in the discussions, which are expected to address critical issues such as security and the investigation into the rape and murder of a fellow doctor from RG Kar Medical College.
During her unexpected visit to the protest site, Banerjee addressed the doctors, who had been chanting “we want justice” amid their ongoing strike. “I came here not as your Chief Minister but as your ‘didi’ (elder sister),” she said, offering empathy and reassurance. Banerjee promised to carefully review the doctors’ demands and take action if any wrongdoing was discovered.
“I have been deeply concerned about your situation,” Banerjee added. “I have also endured sleepless nights, as if you are on the road, I too must stay vigilant.” Her visit was marked by heavy rain, which added to the symbolic gesture of solidarity with the striking doctors.
The ongoing protests have severely disrupted public healthcare services, with reports indicating that 29 deaths have occurred due to delays in treatment caused by the strike. The upcoming talks are seen as a crucial step towards resolving the crisis and restoring normalcy in the state’s medical services.
As both sides prepare for the crucial meeting, there is hope that the discussions will lead to a resolution of the long-standing issues and help resume essential healthcare services in West Bengal.
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