Mamata Banerjee is under pressure over the tragic death of a Calcutta doctor

In a scathing rebuke, BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to deflect responsibility for the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata by merely transferring senior police and health officials.

Following Banerjee's decision to sack senior officials, Kesavan said, “The official minutes of yesterday's meeting do not mention any suspension from government work. It only mentions transfers of senior police and health officials. Mere transfer is nothing but a ploy. Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal government are trying to evade responsibility for the heinous rape and murder of the aspiring doctor.”

Responding to TMC's claim of disagreement among doctors, Kesavan said, “Whatever diversionary tactics they use, the responsibility clearly lies with Mamata Banerjee.” He also questioned the transfer of former RG Kar Hospital director Sandeep Ghosh, alleging that it was a promotion disguised as a transfer.

Mamata Banerjee, addressing protesting doctors, announced that she agreed to most of their demands. “In view of the junior doctors' demands, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said he is ready to resign,” Banerjee said. She promised that the government would meet their demands and stressed public interest by asking junior doctors to return to work.

She added, “We have accepted three of their four demands… DC North will also be removed and a decision will be taken on the new DC tomorrow. The safety of doctors will be given utmost attention.” The protests follow the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor who was found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

(With contributions from agencies.)