Kolkata. The West Bengal government on Wednesday invited agitating junior doctors to discuss the impasse arising out of the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Hospital here. The government has asked them to attend a meeting at the state secretariat ‘Nabanna’ at 6 pm on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the agitating junior doctors had sent an e-mail to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking time to discuss the impasse.
State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said in the letter, “We invite your delegation, consisting of 12-15 colleagues, to join the discussion at ‘Nabanna’ today (Wednesday) at 6 pm. Please send the list of members of your delegation by email. We are waiting for your positive response and hope for a fruitful conversation.” However, it is not mentioned whether the meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or not. A doctor said that in their mail, the doctors said that they are ready for the meeting “anytime and anywhere”, provided that the entire discussion is broadcast live.
A junior doctor told PTI-Bhasha, “We have written a letter to the Chief Minister for a meeting, which can be held anytime today or tomorrow and anywhere as per his choice. But, the meeting should be telecast live.” The agitating doctors, who have been protesting outside the state health department office for more than 22 hours, are demanding that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, state health secretary, Director of Health Education (DHE) and Director of Health Services (DHS) be removed from their posts.