'Fifth, Final Time': Mamata Invites Agitating Kolkata Doctors Again For Talks As Impasse Continues

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, September 16, again invited agitating doctors to her residence at around 5 pm to hold a key meeting to resolve the RG Kar impasse. Following the massive uproar over the incident, the Chief Minister called for a discussion with "an open mind."

The invitation has been sent to the doctors via mail sent by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. The mail states that this is the final time the state government is reaching out to them for talks.

"Dear Junior Doctors, In view of the Honourable Supreme Court order dated 9th September 2024, directing junior doctors to resume duties by 5 PM on the 10th September 2024, it is our bounden duty, as law-abiding citizens, to follow and adhere to the apex court's directive. This is the fifth and final time we are reaching out to you for a meeting between the Honourable Chief Minister and your delegates," the mail reads.

This comes as on Saturday, Mamata met junior doctors seeking justice for Abhaya and took strict action if anyone were found guilty.

'No Livestreaming or Videography'

As the new rounds of talks are to be held this evening, doctors have demanded a live streaming of the meeting. However, the state government already in its mail stated that there would be no live streaming or videography of the meet.  

"In line with our discussion from the day before, we are once again inviting you to a meeting with the Honourable Chief Minister at her Kalighat residence for a discussion with an open mind. We trust that good sense will prevail, and as mutually agreed and as per your statement to the media the day before- there will be no live streaming or videography of the meeting, given that the matter is sub judice in the highest court of the country. Instead, the minutes of the meeting will be recorded and signed by both parties," Pant said in the mail.

Providing further details on the time and venue of the meet Pant said, " The meeting is scheduled for 5 PM today ie 16th September 2024 at Hon'ble Chief Minister's Kalighat residence. The same delegation which came for the last discussions is requested to arrive at the venue at 4:45 PM today. We look forward to your positive response and a productive and fruitful discussion. Warm Regards Yours Sincerely Dr. Manoj Pant.

Agitating Doctors Continue to Cease Work 36th Day

Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal on Monday continued with their cease work, stating that they would remain steadfast in their resolve to pursue justice for the medic raped and murdered at the RG Kar hospital.

The doctors continued their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of the Health department, for the eight day and the cease work for the 36th day and vowed to continue it till their demands - the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior state health officials are met.

"We will continue our cease work till our demands are met. The state government is not serious about resolving the crisis," an agitating junior medic said.

(Inputs from PTI)