Kolkata Rape-Murder Crisis: Mamata vs Doctors Standoff Escalates As Key Arrest Shakes City

The protest by medics outside the state health department headquarters in Salt Lake entered its fifth day on Saturday.

They have been demanding justice for the junior doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.

Photo Credit: PTI

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Baner made a surprise visit to Swasthyaawan, where junior doctors have been protesting. She assured them that their demands would be addressed, asking them to come for talks. "I have spent sleepless nights as you have been protesting on the road amid rain. I assure you that I will study your demands, and take action if someone is found guilty," Banerjee told the protesting doctors.

Meeting with Chief Minister

The junior doctors requested live streaming or video recordings of their meeting with Banerjee. However, the state government rejected this proposal, stating that only government videography would be allowed. Despite this, the medics reached Banerjee's residence with 30 representatives and two videographers around 6:40 pm.

As the stalemate continued, Banerjee met the protesters waiting outside in the rain at around 8:30 pm. "We will videograph the entire meeting and share the recording with you after getting the Supreme Court's permission as the court is hearing the matter. You may trust me. I won't mislead you. We will share the signed minutes of the meeting," she told them.

Protesters' Response

An agitating doctor mentioned they had agreed to attend without live-streaming or video recording as requested by Banerjee. However, after informing Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya of this decision, they were told to leave because it was too late and officials had been waiting for three hours.

"We will decide on the future course of action after a general body meeting," said one protester.

Arrests Made

Meanwhile, CBI arrested RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's ex-principal Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal, officer-in-charge of Tala police station, for alleged delay in registering FIR and missing evidence in the postgraduate trainee doctor's brutal rape and murder.

"The policeman has been questioned eight times earlier and every time he gave different versions. He has been arrested and will be produced in court tomorrow," an unidentified CBI officer told PTI. He was taken to a hospital for a post-arrest medical test.

The move was welcomed by junior doctors who expressed readiness to hold talks anytime and anywhere. In response, the state's chief secretary invited a team of 15 doctors to meet at Banerjee's residence in Kalighat at 6 pm for discussions with an open mind.