Sat Sep 14 16:57:40 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal Chief Minister Appeals to Protesting Doctors to End Strike

**Kolkata, September 14, 2024:** West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday appealed to the agitating junior doctors, currently on strike, to end their protest and join a meeting to discuss their demands. The doctors have been protesting since August 9th following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The meeting, initially scheduled for Saturday evening, was delayed as the doctors insisted on live-streaming the discussions. The Chief Minister refused, citing legal constraints as the case is currently before the Supreme Court. Banerjee offered to video-record the meeting and provide a copy to the doctors after receiving permission from the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee visited the protest site at Salt Lake, urging the doctors to return to work and assuring them of support and justice. She pledged to investigate the demands of the doctors and take appropriate action against any guilty parties. The Chief Minister also announced the dissolution of all “Rogi Kalyan Commitee (Patient Welfare Body)” across state-run hospitals.

While welcoming the Chief Minister’s visit, the protesting doctors remained firm on their five-point demand, which includes the removal of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior officials of the State Health Department. They also demand increased security for health workers and an end to the “threat culture” in hospitals and medical colleges across West Bengal.

The doctors are continuing their sit-in demonstration outside the State Health Department headquarters, marking the fifth consecutive day of protest. Talks between the state government and the doctors remain stalled as the doctors remain steadfast in their demands.

Read More