Headline - “Doctors should now…” Abhishek Banerjee reaches out to Jr Doctors as cease work enters day 40 since RG Kar Horror

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday urged the protesting junior doctors to resume their duties and "work collaboratively" with the Bengal government to serve the people and expedite the implementation of the task force's initiatives. He emphasized that, in response to the West Bengal Junior Doctor's Front's demands, significant changes have been made in the Health Department and Kolkata Police, along with measures to improve safety and security in medical colleges have been implemented across the state.

Taking to the social media platform "X," Banerjee stated that from the very start, he has supported the doctors in their concerns pertaining to safety and security, emphasizing that most of their demands, except for a few, are "valid, sensible, and justified." "As per the SC's directions and the GoWB’s submission before the SC yesterday, most of the measures for improving their safety and security are in progress, including the installation of CCTV cameras and infrastructural developments in Medical Colleges and Hospitals across West Bengal, which are expected to be completed within 14 days. Additionally, the government has honored their demands for transferring certain top officials in the Health Department and Kolkata Police, as confirmed by the HCM the day before in her media address," posted the Diamond Harbour MP outlining the tasks underdtaken by the state government to ensure the safety and security of the protesting junior doctors.

"As a gesture of goodwill, the doctors should now consider CALLING OFF THE STRIKE AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH GoWB to serve the people and expedite the implementation of the task force's initiatives to ensure these changes are promptly executed," wrote Abhishek Banerjee.

In addition, Banerjee said that it is important to hold the CBI accountable and stated that it is the central agency's duty to "ensure that no perpetrators are spared, with swift punishment handed down at the earliest opportunity." "The CBI's record speaks for itself: over the past 10 years, they have not completed a single investigation they have undertaken. JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED," he added.

Following a highly anticipated meeting between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the protesting junior doctors, the Bengal government announced significant administrative changes. The removal of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal and two senior health officials was made in response to the doctors' demands. “We have kept almost all their demands,” Banerjee stated. “We have decided to change the Kolkata Police Commissioner... After the Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, by evening the notification will be issued announcing the name of the new CP.”

Previously, Abhishek Banerjee had asked the junior doctors to return to work, citing casualties that he claimed were a result of the ongoing strike. "While the demands of the junior doctors are both fair and valid, I urge them to protest in a way that doesn't disrupt essential medical services. Allowing a death due to PREVENTABLE NEGLECT is tantamount to CULPABLE HOMICIDE. If the protest has to continue, it should be done constructively, with empathy and humanity, ensuring no more lives are put at risk through inaction or neglect," said Banerjee.

Following a much-anticipated meeting between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the protesting junior doctors on Monday, the Bengal government announced the removal of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal and two senior health officials in response to the doctors' demands. On Tuesday, the government appointed IPS Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Police Commissioner of Kolkata, replacing Goyal. Additionally, changes were made within the state health department.

Despite these administrative changes, the junior doctors have decided to continue their cease work agitation. After their general body meeting on Tuesday night, the West Bengal Junior Doctor's Front announced that conditions are still not conducive for their return to work. “The ground reality is very different from what has been claimed in the Supreme Court. The rest rooms, toilets, and the installation of CCTV cameras is far from complete," said the protesting junior doctors.