Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: Doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a trainee doctor was tragically raped and killed, have announced that their cease-work protest will continue until all their demands are met. They are also requesting fresh discussions with the government, a day after their meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The doctors made the decision following a five-hour governing body meeting that ended early Wednesday morning. “Till all our demands are met, the agitation and cease work will continue. We want fresh talks with the state government,” they said during a press conference.
While Monday’s meeting with Mamata Banerjee resulted in some key promises, including the transfer of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and the creation of a high-level panel led by the Chief Secretary, the doctors remain unsatisfied. One of their primary demands, the removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam, has yet to be addressed by the government.
Though Monday’s outcome was seen as a “moral victory,” the doctors refrained from calling off their protest and are now seeking a new round of discussions. They have also raised fresh demands, including better toilet facilities, additional CCTV cameras in government hospitals, improved accommodations, enhanced security, and the reinstatement of student body elections.
In addition, they are pushing for the withdrawal of a directive preventing female doctors from working night shifts.
Meanwhile, senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma has been appointed as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner, and other officials, including Director of Health Services Debashis Halder and Director of Medical Education Kaustav Nayak, have been removed, fulfilling part of the government’s promises during Monday’s talks.
