Junior Doctors Continue Protests Over Colleague's Tragic Death

Junior doctors in West Bengal persist with their sit-in outside the state health department office, protesting over the alleged rape and murder of a young medic. Despite government invitations for talks, the doctors demand Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's presence and a live broadcast. Healthcare services remain severely disrupted.

Junior doctors in West Bengal on Thursday continued their sit-in outside the state's health department office, protesting the alleged rape and murder of a young medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Demonstrators have been stationed outside 'Swathya Bhavan', the state health department headquarters, for over 40 hours.

The government on Wednesday rejected their demands for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's presence and a live broadcast as preconditions for talks to resolve the impasse. A significant police presence has been deployed around 'Swathya Bhavan' at Salt Lake, regulating traffic movement in the area.

Healthcare services at state-run hospitals remained crippled as junior doctors' 'cease work' entered its 34th day on Thursday. Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said the government is open to discussions but suggested possible political influences behind the protests, which the doctors refuted. The protests began after the body of a postgraduate trainee was found with severe injuries on August 9, prompting the CBI to launch an investigation directed by the Calcutta High Court. The junior doctors demand justice, enhanced security for women health professionals, and the suspension of several officials for alleged mishandling of the case.

(With inputs from agencies.)