Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: In a significant development following five weeks of protests triggered by the August 9 rape and murder at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to the removal of four top officials. The decision came late Monday after a two-hour meeting with junior doctors who have been on a cease-work strike since the incident. The officials being removed include Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, DCP (North) Abhishek Gupta, Director of Medical Education Kaustuv Nayek, and Director of Health Services Debashis Haldar.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residence in Kalighat, ended just before midnight. Banerjee confirmed the government had conceded to “some of the doctors’ demands” and urged the junior doctors to return to work for the sake of public welfare.
Mamata’s Appeal to Doctors
After the meeting, Mamata Banerjee addressed the media, expressing satisfaction with the outcome and commending the doctors for their agitation. “I saluted them for their agitation and am happy with the outcome of the meeting. They raised several issues, and we tried to listen to their demands as much as possible. Their first demand was justice for the crime, which is now being handled by the CBI,” she said.
Banerjee added that the junior doctors’ primary demand was for the removal of key health officials, and while she initially hesitated to remove all of them at once, the government ultimately agreed to transfer two of the officials. “Both had only recently taken up their positions, but the students did not have faith in them, so they will be moved,” she said.
Police Commissioner to Step Down
Regarding the removal of Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Banerjee stated that he would hand over his charge to a successor after 4 pm on Tuesday. “Vineet has agreed to move to a post he prefers,” she said, noting that the police serve the government, and their work also needs to be supported.
Focus on Hospital Security
Another major demand from the protesting doctors was enhanced safety and security at hospitals and medical colleges. Banerjee assured that this demand would be given “full importance” to prevent any future tragedies.
Doctors to Continue Protest Until Formal Orders
While the meeting brought a breakthrough, the junior doctors have said they will continue their protest until formal orders for the removal of the officials are issued. A representative from the Junior Doctors’ Forum described the state’s concession as a “big victory” but emphasized the need for concrete action. “We have only received verbal assurance so far, and we will wait for the government to deliver,” the representative said.
Background of the Protest
The protests began after the shocking rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The case has since been transferred to the CBI, which is investigating allegations of evidence tampering and police inaction. The prolonged impasse between the state government and the doctors saw several rounds of failed negotiations before the recent meeting at Banerjee’s residence.
Meeting Details
The meeting on Monday was the fifth and final invitation extended to the doctors by the state government. The doctors arrived at Banerjee’s residence at 6:25 pm, after a four-hour general body meeting. Though the doctors initially demanded live-streaming of the meeting, they eventually agreed to a recorded and signed transcript. The meeting concluded with both parties signing the minutes around 9 pm.
