Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: Junior Doctors End Protest 'Partially', To Resume Essential Services From Saturday

Junior doctors in Bengal have decided to end their large-scale protest over the rape and murder of a fellow doctor at a hospital in Kolkata.

They announced that they will return to work on Saturday, although with a condition: they will not participate in OPD services or attend elective operations.

These would be resumed once they are assured of the state government's commitment to the safety issue, they said.

The announcement came after the state had accepted most of their demands -- and amid massive floods in south Bengal where health services have become a priority.

With Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visiting areas affected by the floods, the Chief Secretary attended the last meeting with the protesting doctors on Wednesday, and accepted their demands and suggestions regarding security.

The Chief Secretary wrote a letter to the Principal Secretary, giving detailed instructions which included ensuring adequate availability of on-duty rooms, washrooms, CCTVs, deployment of police and security personnel which would include women, mobile police teams for surveillance at night, central helpline and panic buttons and alarms.

Additionally, a security audit for all government hospitals has also been ordered.

Despite their return to work, the junior doctors emphasised that their protest is far from over.

"If needed, we will begin ceasework again," said a representative of the junior doctors, NDTV reported.

The legal battle will also continue, as would their demand for a quick resolution of the rape-murder of a 31-year-old doctor that is at the heart of the protest.

Also Read: Animal Fat In Tirumala Prasad: A Timeline Of Events So Far