After Mamata-doctors meeting, Kolkata top cop, 2 health officers shunted
What's the story
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to remove four top officials following a two-hour meeting with junior doctors. The decision comes after five weeks of protests sparked by the rape-murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The dismissed officials include Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Abhishek Gupta, Director of Medical Education Kaustuv Nayek and Director of Health Services Debashis Haldar.
Public appeal
Banerjee urges striking doctors to resume work
Banerjee announced the decision at her residence in Kolkata's Kalighat shortly after midnight on Tuesday. She said that the government had agreed to "some of our demands" and urged the junior doctors, who have been on strike since August 9, to return to work "for the people's sake." "I saluted them for their agitation and am happy with the outcome of the meeting," she told reporters.
Meeting details
Doctors' demands and government's response
The CM said that the doctors had raised several issues, including justice for the crime and removal of certain health officials. "Their first demand was justice for the crime," she said, adding that focus was now on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as it was probing the crime. "They had four other demands, the first being the removal of director of medical education, director of health services and health secretary."
Security measures
Banerjee addresses doctors' security concerns
Banerjee also addressed the doctors' demand for safety and security deployment at hospitals and medical colleges, saying it would be given "full importance." She concluded by urging the doctors to discuss these issues with their peers but to return to work for the sake of public welfare. The meeting between Banerjee and the junior doctors took place just a day before Supreme Court was set to convene for fourth time on this issue.