In a significant development, the West Bengal government has announced major administrative changes, fulfilling key demands made by protesting doctors following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The doctors, who have been agitating for over a month, had sought the removal of several officials, citing mishandling of the case and demanding accountability.
Manoj Kumar Verma, a 1998-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has been appointed as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner, replacing Vineet Goyal, a 1994-batch officer, who held the position since December 2021. Mr. Verma, who previously served as Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), steps into the role amid growing tensions in the medical community. Vineet Goyal has been reassigned as Additional Director General of Police and Inspector General of Police for the Special Task Force.
In addition to the changes in the police hierarchy, the state government has also replaced two key health officials. Dr. Kaustav Nayak, the Director of Medical Education, and Dr. Debasish Halder, the Director of Health Services, were removed from their posts. Dr. Swapan Soren has been appointed as the in-charge Director of Health Services, while Dr. Suparna Dutta will take over as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Medical Education. Dr. Nayak will assume the role of Director at the Institute of Health and Family Welfare, while Dr. Halder has been reassigned as OSD (Public Health) at Swasthya Bhawan.
These transfers follow a prolonged protest led by doctors demanding accountability after the murder of a trainee doctor on August 9. The family of the victim had earlier alleged that Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Abhishek Gupta, who oversaw the region where the hospital is located, offered them money in a bid to cover up the incident. Mr. Gupta has now been replaced by Dipak Sarkar.
The doctors’ agitation intensified after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station, last week. Both were accused of tampering with evidence, reinforcing allegations that the Kolkata Police had mishandled the case.
During a crucial meeting with the protesting doctors on Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured them that their demands were being met. She revealed that Vineet Goyal had offered to resign several times and said she had delayed the decision until after the Durga Puja celebrations for logistical reasons. In a conciliatory tone, Banerjee stated, “We have accepted 99% of the doctors’ demands because they are our younger brothers.”
Despite the state government’s moves, the doctors remain cautious, stating that they would decide on withdrawing their agitation only after the promised changes are fully implemented. The protest, which has now entered its 39th day, was triggered by dissatisfaction with the investigation and lack of accountability following the murder.
Sources By Agencies