Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal junior doctors, who are on ceasework demanding justice for RG Kar rape-murder victim, on Wednesday said they are open for a discussion with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but warned of continuing with their protests until their five demands are fulfilled.
Addressing a press conference, the junior doctors, who are camped near state Health and Family Welfare headquarters Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake, said they have mailed the Chief Minister at 3:50 am on Wednesday. The protesters said they are waiting for a response.
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The five demands in a nutshell are justice for the victim, disciplinary action against now arrested ex-RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, resignation of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal and two other top police officers, enhancing security at hospitals and elimination of the alleged threat culture.
The doctors have cleared a delegation of at least 30 members should be allowed in the meeting, which will have to be broadcasted live for people of the state to watch.
UPDATE: The states Chief Secretary has invited for a meeting with the government at Nabanna at 6 pm with a delegation team of 12-15 people.
The junior doctors began their sit-in protest on Tuesday after they were denied an entry into Swasthya Bhavan to hand over deputation demanding resignation of some of the top officials.
On Tuesday evening, the health department shot an email to the junior doctors inviting them to participate in a meeting with a senior government representative.
The doctors rejected the proposal claiming it was insulting to them as the email came from the principal secretary of the state Health and Family Welfare department, who is one of those people whose resignation is among the demands by the protesters.
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The email has come from the health secretary and this is insulting to us, the protesting doctors said.
In the meantime, state junior health minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waited till 7:30 pm at the state secretariat Nabanna for a response from the students. Upon receiving no response, the Chief Minister, who Bhattacharya claimed was eager to schedule a meeting, left her office for home.
The protesters on Wednesday said they sent an email to Nabanna stating they were unaware of the Chief Minister waiting at her office as there was no mention of it in the message which was sent from the health department.
The junior doctors, who raised slogans throughout the night, on Tuesday refused to resume work by 5 pm, the deadline which was set by the Supreme Court.
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The top court had said the government will be free to take action against the protesters post 5 pm on Tuesday.
Some of the senior doctors have claimed they are backing the juniors and they would respond appropriately if the government takes any action against the protesters.
The states counsel, advocate Kapil Sibal had claimed during Mondays hearing that 23 patients have died due to the junior doctors ceasework.
In the previous hearing held last month, the CJI had urged the junior doctors to resume work restraining the government from any action against them.
(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
