'Working under tremendous fear,' say doctors; Mamata Banerjee assures new security measures

Junior doctors met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday and apprised her of the problems they have been facing at medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

Banerjee was told that medical professionals have been working under tremendous fear. "We want exemplary punishment for those who assaulted NRS doctors," the joint forum of regional doctors told the chief minister today.

According to reports, Banerjee during the meeting accepted the proposal of doctors to set up a Grievance Redressal Cell in government hospitals, news agency ANI reported.

She directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma to deploy a nodal police officer in every hospital.

The chief minister stated that she has no intention of targeting young doctors and that there are no false cases registered against them.

"We have taken adequate measures, arrested five people involved in NRS hospital incident," she added. 

Apart from West Bengal Health Secretary, MoS Chandrima Bhattacharya and state officials, 31 junior doctors met with Banerjee, news agency PTI reported. 

Only two regional news channels were allowed to cover the meeting between Banerjee and junior doctors that took place at the state secretariat. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday agreed for media coverage of her meeting with two representatives from each Medical College of the state.

As doctors' strike enters the seventh day in the state, Banerjee said she will meet two representatives from each medical college of the state.

On Saturday, Banerjee said the state administration is ready to accept all valid demands proposed by the agitating doctors and promised not to invoke the stringent Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). She also appealed them to resume work immediately.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday said it will hear on June 18 a plea seeking safety and security of doctors in government hospitals across the country.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday began its strike with the withdrawal of non-essential health services across the country in the wake of the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies)