RG Kar Rape-Murder: What Are The Protesting Junior Doctors Demanding From Mamata Govt

The doctors have been protesting outside Swathya Bhavan demanding the removal of Kolkata Commissioner, the state health secretary, the director of health education and the director of health services.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interacts with junior doctors delegation, at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata.

Source : PTI

The deadlock between the protesting junior doctors and the West Bengal government over the RG Kar rape and murder issue continued on Sunday, a day after the protestors refused to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the live telecast demand. 

The junior doctors on Sunday continued their protest against the rape and murder of the trainee resident doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month. 

A high drama ensued on Saturday evening after a meeting between the protesting medics and Mamata Banerjee remained unresolved for a second time as the medics refused to enter the CM's Kalighat residence over the live streaming demand. Mamata said she could not allow the live telecast of the proceedings as the matter is sub-judice and can provide the video after Supreme Court's nod. Mamata Banerjee, who had said it was her 'last attempt' to resolve the crisis, told the doctors, "You can't keep on insulting me like this."

Meanwhile, the doctors have been protesting outside Swathya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters, demanding the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the state health secretary, the director of health education and the director of health services. 

The protesting doctors have said that they want the discussion to be held in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and be telecast live. They have said that at least 30 representatives would participate in the meeting with the state government as the movement is spread across various medical colleges and hospitals.

The doctors have also reiterated the five-point demand, which are:

• Punishment to all those involved in the rape and murder of the trainee doctor and those responsible for the destruction of evidence.
• Disciplinary action against Sandip Ghosh, the former Principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
• Resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam.
• Adequate security arrangements made for healthcare workers.
• Eliminating 'threat culture' prevailing in government healthcare institutions. 

Earlier today, a Kolkata court sent Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar hospital, and Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal to CBI custody till September 17. Both Ghosh and Mondal were produced before a court by the central agency in connection with the rape and murder of the doctor.

The duo has played vital roles in the RG Kar case, an officer said. The CBI, probing the case, had on Saturday evening arrested Mondal and added charges of evidence tampering against Ghosh, who is currently in judicial custody in a corruption case related to the RG Kar hospital. 

Mondal also faces accusations of tampering with evidence, delaying registration of the FIR, and other related offences. The CBI arrested Ghosh on September 2 in connection with financial irregularities at the hospital. 

The body of the postgraduate trainee was found in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital on August 9. So far, three persons have been arrested in connection with the rape-murder case.