Kolkata, Sep 17 (V7N)-  In a five-hour-long marathon meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accepted most of the demands put forward by junior doctors protesting for over a month. The meeting took place at Banerjee's residence in Kalighat on Monday, with the Chief Minister announcing several key decisions in a subsequent press conference.

One of the major outcomes was the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goel, following the doctors' demands. Goel, along with Deputy Commissioner North Abhishek Gupta, and two senior health officials—Director of Health Education Kausthav Naik and Director of Health Debashis Halder—will be reassigned. However, the demand to remove Health Secretary Narayan Swarup was not accepted.

Despite this breakthrough, the junior doctors are continuing their 'dharna' protests, stating they will not back down until the orders are formally implemented. The doctors described the meeting as "99 percent successful," but noted that some issues remain unresolved.

Banerjee assured that the reshuffle of police positions, including the appointment of a new Police Commissioner, would take place by Tuesday afternoon. She also announced increased security measures in hospitals, with a budget of ₹100 crore allocated for installing CCTV cameras and improving facilities like restrooms.

The junior doctors have been protesting for 38 days following the rape and murder of students at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The strike has disrupted services at many hospitals across the state. Banerjee urged the doctors to return to work, especially in light of the state's flood-like conditions caused by heavy rainfall.

While the meeting has led to significant concessions, the junior doctors have made it clear that their protest will continue until all promises are fulfilled. They plan to monitor the Supreme Court hearing on the issue scheduled for Tuesday.

"We’ve won a major victory, but we need to see the official orders before ending the protest," said Dr. Kinjal Nanda, a key figure in the movement.

The junior doctors' protest has thrown the state’s healthcare system into turmoil, and the coming days will determine whether this partial agreement can lead to a resolution.

END/AJ/RH