WB: Mamata Banerjee to Join proposed talks with agitating doctors over RG Kar protests

New Delhi: In a bid to resolve the ongoing standoff, the West Bengal government extended a new invitation to the protesting doctors for a meeting scheduled at 5 PM on Thursday. The stand-off erupted after the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

In its latest communication, the government agreed to the doctors’ request for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s attendance at the meeting but denied their demand for a live broadcast. The meeting is set to take place at Nabanna’s conference hall, with the number of participants from the doctors’ side restricted to 15.

RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case | West Bengal Government issues a letter to junior doctors, requesting them to come to Nabanna at 5 pm today.

"State Government is always willing to engage in a dialogue with the concerned stakeholders. The proposed meeting… pic.twitter.com/JVp3im4KbV

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2024

Meeting in cards

Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, who issued the letter, explained that while live telecasting the talks would not be permitted, the proceedings could be recorded for transparency. "The meeting shall not be live telecast. However, the same can be recorded to maintain transparency. This will serve the purpose intended from your end, while also maintaining the sanctity of the proceedings, ensuring that all discussions are accurately documented," Pant wrote in the letter.

This marks the third attempt by the state government to engage the agitating doctors in dialogue. The previous offers were declined, as the doctors had set specific conditions for any negotiations.The medical professionals have yet to respond to the new proposal, leaving uncertainty about whether the discussions will finally take place.