West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accepts protesting doctors' demand for security & grievance redressal, as she meets doctors' delegation in Kolkata

In a major reprieve to the doctors on strike in West Bengal, the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday has directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma to deploy a nodal police officer in every hospital as she met representatives of the doctors at the Nabanna Bhavan (State Secretariat) in Kolkata.

She has also accepted the proposal of doctors to set up Grievance Redressal Cell in Government Hospitals, in the meeting, according to ANI.

According to PTI, the doctors' delegation who met with Banerjee has apprised her of the problems they have been facing at medical colleges and hospitals and said they fear for their safety. West Bengal health secretary, MoS Chandrima Bhattacharya, and other state officials were present in the meeting, besides 31 junior doctors.

"Must Accommodate Representatives Of All Govt Medical Colleges," Demand Doctor's On Strike, Agree To Meet CM Mamata Banerjee

The meeting which had been consented to by Banerjee and the doctors on Sunday was held in the presence of only two regional news channels where she told the striking doctors that no doctor has been booked by the state government. She also said that the state government has taken adequate measures and arrested five people involved in NRS incident.

Earlier on Sunday, in a media interaction, the doctors of NRS medical college ascertained their willingness to speak to the Trinamool supremo at the venue of her choice but added that the meeting must 'accommodate representatives of all medical colleges' in West Bengal and the national media.

In a press brief on Saturday, Banerjee calling for a 'peaceful solution' warned the doctors of arrests, and also stated that their demands would be met. 

Doctors' Strike Reaches Supreme Court: Plea Filed Over Safety And security Of Doctors Seeking Security At Government Hospitals And Action Against Assaulters Of Kolkata Doctor

The protest which has now gained national interest was started by junior doctors across Kolkata a week ago, as they were protesting against the physical assault of an intern doctor at the NRS Medical college in the hands of the family of a patient who had died on Monday, June 10. Junior doctors across the city including private firms extended their support for the protest, bringing the out-patient departments of many hospitals to a standstill. 

Following the strike West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the protest on June 13, warning the doctors to resume their duties within the next four hours and threatened to have their hostels vacated if they refused to do so. She called the matter a conspiracy by the BJP and the Left.