Resume work or face action: Mamata sets deadline for protesting doctors

"I saw people waiting for treatment outside the hospital today, some of them were really critical. This is shameful and I condemn the unlawful protest," Banerjee said.

CM Mamata Banerjee along with minister Arup Biswas at SSKM emergency in Kolkata on Thursday. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday asked doctors at Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College in Kolkata to stop their protest and resume work or face action. “I saw people waiting for treatment outside the hospital today, some of them were really critical. This is shameful and I condemn the unlawful protest,” Banerjee, the Health Minister of Bengal said. The doctors are on a “cease-work” agitation after their colleagues were allegedly assaulted by a patient’s family.

Asking the doctor to resume work, Banerjee said, “We have arrested five in connection with the NRS issue, but the doctors are still protesting. Some of them are not junior doctors but outsiders. If they do not withdraw protest and resume regular work within four hours, we’ll review their profiles,” she said.

Mamata Banerjee at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata Thursday. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

“Government will not support any of them if they don’t get back to work in the next four hours. This is an essential Service. They have to get back to work by 2 pm. The kind of behaviour they are doing with patients is unacceptable. Let the good sense prevail, rest we will take care. But if they come back to work, action will be taken. As per SC, doctors cannot go on strike,” she added

The TMC supremo visited state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata Thursday. Doctors raised “we want justice” slogans during her visit. She was shown placards by students that read, “no security no service”.

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Reacting to the protest, she said it’s a controversy by a specific political party. “BJP has gone mad and is trying to give the protest a communal colour.” She asked the police to look into it and ensure no one is allowed inside the hospital premises apart from patients who have been undergoing treatment in the hospital

The protest at NRS hospital had snowballed to all 13 medical college hospitals and at least six district hospitals on Wednesday.

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AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi has also called for a strike on Friday in solidarity with the Bengal doctors.

The protests began after relatives of a deceased patient, Sayeed, allegedly attacked doctors at the NRS Hospital over “negligence”. Two junior doctors were critically injured in the clash. Following the incident, interns and junior doctors locked two gates of the hospital, preventing patients and their relatives from entering or leaving the premises and also refused to release the body of the deceased. The Out-Patient Department (OPD) and Emergency services were shut on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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