Siliguri, 22nd October: After meeting CM Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna, junior doctors at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) have decided to withdraw their protest. The protestors include Sandeep Mandal, a second-year ENT student, who ended his hunger strike late on Monday night.
According to reports, the decision to withdraw the strike was followed by the pleas of the parents of the R.G. Kar rape and murder victim. Earlier that day, junior doctors in Kolkata also announced the end of their hunger strike from the stage at Dharmatala after the meeting at Nabanna.
Later, Sandeep Mandal was provided with a hydration solution by Indrajit Saha, the principal of NBMCH, and was subsequently taken to the CCU for monitoring.
In a statement, Mandal noted that while the movement had not fully achieved its goals, the strike was called off at the request of the victim’s parents. He expressed concerns regarding several issues still unresolved with the government.
Another protestor Hironmoy Roy added that various political parties had attempted to misrepresent the movement’s agenda. He emphasized the group’s commitment to standing with the people. He further stated that some of their demands remain unresolved, indicating that their protest would continue.
Meanwhile, Principal Indrajit Saha expressed relief at the withdrawal of the hunger strike, stating that the protesting doctors are like his own children. He welcomed their decision to end the strike.