The West Bengal government has taken decisive steps to address the demands of protesting doctors, following a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On Tuesday, significant administrative changes were announced, including the transfer of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and key officials in the state’s health sector.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Transfer: Vineet Goyal, a 1994-batch officer, who served as the Kolkata Police Commissioner since December 2021, has been replaced by Manoj Kumar Verma. Verma, a 1998-batch officer, previously held the position of Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order). Goyal will now take charge as the Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police (Special Task Force).
Other Police Officers: The state government transferred four other police officers as part of the changes. Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Abhishek Gupta, who came under scrutiny for allegedly offering money to the parents of the rape-murder victim, has been replaced by Dipak Sarkar.
Changes in the Health Department
Director of Medical Education: Dr. Kaustav Nayak has been removed from his position and will now serve as the Director of the Institute of Health and Family Welfare. Dr. Swapan Soren has been appointed as the new in-charge director of health services, while Dr. Suparna Dutta takes on the role of officer on special duty for medical education.
ALSO READ: ‘Details shared by CBI more disturbing that initially thought’, and more: What Supreme Court said in RG Kar case hearing
Director of Health Services: Dr. Debasish Halder has been transferred and will now act as the officer on special duty (public health) at Swasthya Bhawan.
These changes were part of a notification released on Tuesday, fulfilling the state government’s promises to the doctors who have been protesting for 39 days following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Background and Doctors’ Protest
The trainee doctor’s death on August 9 shook the nation and led to widespread protests. Protesting doctors demanded accountability and transparency in the investigation, specifically the resignation of officials they believed mishandled the case.
The outcry intensified after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station, accusing them of tampering with evidence.
ALSO READ: ‘We will not stop this’: Supreme Court refuses to stop live streaming of Kolkata doctor rape and murder proceedings
Government’s Response and Meeting with Doctors
After several failed attempts at dialogue, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee finally met with the protesting doctors on Monday. The doctors had earlier insisted on live streaming the meeting, which the government declined. Ms. Banerjee, while acknowledging the demands, stated, “99% of the doctors’ demands [were accepted] because they are our younger brothers.”
Among the changes was the decision to replace the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner (North Division), and two senior health officials.
Though the government has taken action, the doctors stated they would decide on calling off their agitation only after ensuring that the government’s announcements are implemented “in true spirit.”
