Kolkata Rape-Murder: Moral Victory For Junior Docs, Mamata Gives In To Their Demands

Kolkata: In a major victory to the movement led by junior doctors in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night gave in to their demands and announced the removal of a section of Kolkata Police and state health department top brass.

The chief minister agreed to remove Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, apart from the Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS), besides the Deputy Commissioner (North Division). It had been alleged that Deputy Commissioner (North) had offered to pay the parents of the trainee doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Hospital, leading to massive protests.

Addressing the media late Monday night after around a 5-hour long meeting with a delegation of 30 junior doctors at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata, Banerjee said the government had accepted all four demands made by the protesting doctors, and one of the demands— a CBI probe into the rape-murder— had already been accepted in the past. The doctors had placed a charter of five demands, including a call for removal of CP and key health officials.

“In view of the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal told in the meeting that he was ready to resign. At 4 pm, Vineet will hand over the responsibility to the new CP,” Banerjee said.

The CM also announced removal of the Director of Medical Education, Kaustav Naik, and the Director of Health Services, Debashis Halder, from their posts. Banerjee said a committee, led by the Chief Secretary, was formed to address all matters and concerns related to the health sector’s infrastructure.

‘Won’t end stir until demands materialise…’

Despite such assurances, the junior doctors refused to end their cease-work agitation on Monday, stating that their movement would continue until all demands were materialised.

Following Banerjee’s announcement, the protesting doctors celebrated their victory at the dharna site, close to Bengal’s health department headquarters, the Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake Sector V. “Removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal is our moral victory….but our cease-work, will continue till promises made by the CM materialise,” the doctors said.

They further added that a discussion took place regarding the corruption case in the Bengal’s Health Department, and until the issue was resolved, they would not end the agitation.