'Agitation Is Not Over': Kolkata Doctors Agree To Finally End Strike Today After 40 Days

Kolkata: After over 40 days of protests, the junior doctors of Bengal called off their strike over the rape-and murder of a colleague at state-run RG Kar hospital. The cease-work protest was called off following assurances from the West Bengal government regarding safety and security measures. However, the junior doctors said that outpatient services (OPD) and operation theatre (OT) services will remain suspended till they are "assured" of the state government's commitment to the safety issue.The turning point came after a meeting between the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. Dr Aqeeb, a member of the junior doctors front, stated that the state government has committed to improving safety and security within medical institutions, but no timeline has been provided for the implementation of these measures."On the 41st day of the protest, we want to say that we achieved a lot during our agitation, but many things remain unachieved. We made the Kolkata Commissioner of Police resign and the DME, DHS resign. But this doesn't mean the agitation is over. We will take it forward in a new way," Dr Aqeeb said, adding that they received a directive from Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters, promising safety measures but without a clear timeline.Dr Aqeeb also addressed the issue of 'threat culture' in hospitals, which he believes contributed to the death of 'Abhaya'—the pseudonym for the deceased trainee doctor. He called for the removal of the principal secretary and stricter actions against the prevalent 'threat culture' in the medical community.However, the junior doctors plan to hold a rally from Swasthya Bhawan to the Central Government Offices (CGO) complex in justice for Abhaya. "We will keep a close watch on the administration after we resume our duties. If we find anything out of place, we will come back stronger. We are returning to work on Saturday and will resume essential services," he added.In addition to their primary demands, the junior doctors also expressed solidarity with those affected by recent floods in the state, committing to support those who had stood by them during the strike. "There is a flood issue, and it's our duty that those who stood by us, if they are facing any disaster, we should be there to help them. Hence, we have decided to leave this protest site," Dr Aqeeb said.Dr Aqeeb also reiterated their demand for proper elections in hospitals to ensure elected representatives can address students' grievances. He called for a faster and more thorough investigation into Abhaya's case, urging the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to expedite their work.The ongoing case has seen significant developments, with the CBI arresting Sandip Ghosh on September 2 for alleged corruption and financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI took him into custody following a directive from the Calcutta High Court. Ghosh, along with three others, was remanded to judicial custody until September 23.The CBI had previously conducted a second round of polygraph tests on Dr Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape and murder incident. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and accountability within the medical community, leading to widespread outrage and demands for systemic change.Inputs from ANI