'Resume work...won't take action': Mamata during visit to protesting doctors
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made an unexpected visit to the protest site of agitating doctors on Saturday. The doctors have been protesting since a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month. "Please listen to me...then shout slogans, it's your democratic right to do so. I have been waiting for a long time. Against the advice of my security officers, I've come here to salute your protests," she said.
Banerjee's appeal to protesting doctors
The doctors began a sit-in outside Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of the West Bengal health department, on Tuesday. During her address to the doctors, she also said that she has spent sleepless nights as they have been protesting on the road amid rain. "I assure you that I will study your demands, take action if someone is found guilty," Banerjee told them.
Banerjee assures action against guilty
However, the chief minister stated that she will study their demands since "I don't run the government alone. I will speak to the chief secretary, home secretary, director general of police." "I want justice for the trainee doctor. From your platform, I will request the CBI to speed up the investigation. I request you, I need some time to consider your demands. If you trust me, come and talk to me, I'll look into your demands," she assured the doctors.
Banerjee addresses the doctors
Doctors' 5-point demand list
The doctors have put forth a five-point demand list. This includes holding all individuals responsible for the rape and murder, as well as any destruction of evidence, accountable and punishing them. They also demand strict disciplinary action against former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Principal Sandip Ghosh, the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam among others, and ensuring adequate security measures for healthcare workers.
Doctors demand live-streamed talks, justice for Tilottama
The doctors' protest has been ongoing for four consecutive days outside Swasthya Bhavan in Kolkata. They are demanding justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital. Her body was found in the seminar room on August 9. These protests have affected the public healthcare infrastructure of the state with the government claiming that 29 people have died due to allegedly not receiving treatment during this period.
