GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 16th Sept. The first round of talks between the West Bengal government and the agitating junior doctors commenced on Monday evening at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat, aiming to address the ongoing RG Kar Hospital impasse.
Following four unsuccessful attempts to initiate dialogue, a delegation of around 30 junior doctors arrived at Banerjee’s residence at 6:20 PM, escorted by a pilot police vehicle. Although the meeting was scheduled to start at 5 PM, it commenced approximately an hour later at 7 PM.
Previous efforts to resolve the conflict had stalled due to disagreements over the live-streaming and recording of the meeting. However, the agitating doctors agreed to a compromise, requesting only that the minutes of the meeting be recorded and signed copies provided. The state government accepted this condition, with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant confirming that both parties would sign the minutes and share copies for clarity. Additionally, the government permitted two stenographers accompanying the doctors to record the meeting’s minutes.
An agitating doctor, speaking before the meeting, emphasized the desire to resolve the issue without compromising on their five key demands. The doctors have been protesting outside Swasthya Bhawan, the Health Department headquarters, for eight days, and their ‘cease work’ action has been ongoing for 36 days. Their demands include justice for a colleague who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital and the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior state health officials.
Earlier in the day, the state government extended a “fifth and final” invitation to the protesting doctors for talks, following a failed attempt two days prior due to disagreements over live-streaming. On Saturday, Banerjee had made a surprise visit to the protest site, assuring the doctors that their demands would be addressed. However, the proposed meeting fell through when protesters alleged they were asked to leave “unceremoniously” after waiting for three hours at the gates of the CM’s residence.
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