West Bengal Doctors Withdraw Strike

In unprecedented televised meeting, CM Mamata Banerjee assures them of increased security

Junior doctors in West Bengal called off their strike on Monday evening ending the seven-day standoff between them and the State government over lack of security at the workplace.

The truce was achieved following a two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who assured them of improved security.

Doctors in the State have been protesting since Tuesday last against the assault on two junior doctors at NRS Hospital in Kolkata by the relatives of a patient who died at the hospital.

Representatives from medical colleges held a meeting with Ms. Banerjee at the State Secretariat, with the Chief Minister agreeing to live coverage of the talks.

Visits injured doctor

“We are satisfied with the meeting,” said representatives of the doctors. Later at night, Ms. Banerjee visited the injured junior doctor, Paribaha Mukherjee, at a private hospital.

The Chief Minister has asked the police to appoint nodal officers for security of doctors at all government hospitals and said no doctor has been booked by the government.