Junior doctor on hunger strike alleges police pressure to withdraw from protest

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 11 : Junior Dr Aloke Verma, currently on a hunger strike at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, on Friday accused the local police of pressuring his patients and calling him to withdraw from the movement.
Dr Verma, who hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the two junior doctors on an indefinite hunger strike to protest against the recent rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College.
Dr Verma stated that despite the doctors' demands being under consideration, the administration is trying to pressure him into abandoning the movement. He said, "I will continue the indefinite hunger strike until our demands are fulfilled."
As of today, the hunger strike has reached its fifth day. Dr Verma and Dr Souvik Banerjee initiated their protest against the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College, where a woman trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall just two months ago.
Speaking to ANI after completing 74 hours of fasting, Dr Verma expressed his frustrations, stating, "It's been 3 days since the college started. When we began, 22 junior doctors started together. Since then, only two of us--myself and Dr. Souvik--have continued." He mentioned that around 45 faculty members had joined them in fasting for over 12 hours.
"Everyone is coming together, and I am receiving a lot of support. Our morale is increasing. So far, we haven't received any response. I think they are delaying. The government shouldn't be so deaf. But they say that to make the deaf hear, one should make a noise. That's the noise we're making," Verma said.
The junior doctor also added, "On one side, Durga Puja is happening, and on the other side, we are here. For us, this is also Durga Puja." He expressed concern for their fellow doctor, stating, "What happened to our sister is also a matter of concern; she was like a mother to us."
Despite experiencing some health issues, Dr. Verma remains determined. "I believe that until our demands are met, we will keep going. I have hope that the government will listen."
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Kolkata Police expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Dr Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor on hunger strike since October 5 at the Dorina crossing.
In a letter addressed to him, the Officer-in-Charge of Hare Street Police Station said, "It is to mention that you have been on hunger strike at Dorina crossing since last Saturday and afterwards on a forcefully erected stage without permission from the competent authority."
"Information from the display board (on health parameters) kept in front of your stage, as well as from other sources, indicates that your condition is deteriorating", he added.
The police had previously requested that he use a KP Police Ambulance, but he refused. To assist him, the letter mentioned that the "Department of Health, Government of West Bengal, has been requested to deploy a team of doctors for you."
The police urged Dr Mahato to "vacate your current place of stay and avail medical assistance to prevent further deterioration." They assured him that all necessary logistical assistance would be provided. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front wrote a letter to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, expressing frustration over the state government's silence regarding their concerns. In their letter, the doctors expressed disappointment that it took 96 hours of an indefinite hunger strike to secure a meeting. They are demanding timely updates on their previous requests and accountability from the government.
The letter read, "We were disheartened by the fact that it took 96 hours of indefinite hunger strike for you to even call us for a meeting." They noted that their previous emails on September 26 and September 29 had gone unanswered, despite their hopes that the government was taking their demands seriously.
The doctors stated that the recent meeting provided no new information and that they were verbally updated on their demands, which had already been publicly announced. They insisted on their right to know the progress of the government's actions."We reserve every right to formally know the progress of the works that are being done by the state," the letter continued, emphasising their demand for a status report every seven days. The group pointed out that it has been 23 days since their last meeting without any updates or the promised security audit.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front also requested an immediate status report and security audit from the government, stating, "Hence, we request you to provide us a status report of the works undertaken by yourselves and also the security audit undertaken by you (as stated by yourself) immediately."