A tense situation unfolded at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on Thursday after an unattended bag sparked a bomb scare, prompting the immediate deployment of bomb disposal squads. The suspicious item was found near the area where junior doctors have been staging protests for over a month, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a fellow doctor.
Visuals shared online showed authorities meticulously investigating the premises with a dog squad following the alarm. However, officials assured the public that no incriminating objects have been discovered so far. The bag remains under inspection by the bomb disposal squad.
The protest site was unusually quiet on Thursday as the agitating doctors began a sit-in demonstration outside the West Bengal health department headquarters this week. These developments come at a crucial time as the West Bengal government issued a third invitation for talks with the protesting doctors.
The latest missive, sent by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, proposes a meeting at 5:00 pm on Thursday, to be attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This marks a significant shift from the government’s previous stance. However, the government has rejected the doctors’ demand for a live telecast of the talks, limiting the delegation to 15 members instead of the protesters’ desired 30.
The Chief Secretary’s letter states, “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.”
This is the third communication from the government to the doctors in the last two days, following the protesters’ defiance of a Supreme Court order to resume work. The doctors have rejected the previous proposals and outlined specific conditions for the meeting. As of now, the protesting doctors have not yet responded to the latest communication. (With inputs from agencies)
