Kolkata Doctors Protest: The protesting doctors, who have been sitting in front of the Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Thursday announced an end of their ceasework. They added that the protesting doctors will join essential services from Saturday. But added that they will not rejoin OPD services.
The protesting doctors also said they will take out a march from the Swasthya Bhawan to the CGO complex, which houses the CBI office.
The information came on a day when the ongoing protests by junior doctors outside Swasthya Bhavan took an unexpected turn as decorators were seen dismantling tents, bamboo sticks, and pedestal fans that had been installed at the protest site. Protesters now allege that “external pressure” might be responsible for this sudden removal of equipment.
“It could be an effort to demoralize us,” a junior doctor stated, “but we would like to clearly say that for a protest, we don’t need all this. We can protest from anywhere and in any possible way.”
Government’s Attempt to Resolve the Situation
During the recent meeting, the Chief Secretary requested the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) to provide details of four to five representatives to participate in the proposed Special Task Force for further discussions. Additionally, the government reiterated its appeal for the junior doctors to immediately resume work.
The protest began on September 10, with the WBJDF initiating a sit-in demonstration in front of Swasthya Bhavan. Following a previous meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the doctors expressed “partial” satisfaction but requested further discussions. A second round of talks with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant occurred on Wednesday, with hopes for more progress.
The junior doctors’ firm stance reflects their commitment to achieving a formal acknowledgment of their demands. The situation continues to develop as both sides navigate this complex issue.
