TMC alleges plot to ‘attack’ protesting Kolkata doctors; CPI(M) leader among 2 arrested

The junior doctors have been demonstrating outside Swasthya Bhavan since September 10 over the alleged corruption in the medical education sector

Amid the ongoing deadlock between protesting doctors and West Bengal government, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has claimed that some opposition political forces have orchestrated a plot to assault the junior doctors participating in the demonstrations. According to senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, the aim of this conspiracy is to tarnish the reputation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration and the ruling party in West Bengal.

The party made public an alleged audio recording in which two individuals could be heard planning an attack on the doctors staging a sit-in protest outside Swasthya Bhavan on September 12 night.

The junior doctors have been demonstrating outside Swasthya Bhavan since September 10 over the alleged corruption in the medical education sector. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating financial irregularities in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, arrested its former principal Sandip Ghosh.

They are also demanding justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Hospital.

"The audio clip makes it clear that some people wanted to attack the junior doctors last night and they may be at the game again. We have asked the police and security forces to be on alert and ensure that it doesn't happen. We are hopeful about peacefully resolving the issue," the TMC leader said on September 13.

On September 12, the junior doctors had gone to Nabanna (state secretariat) with the intention of meeting Mamata Banerjee to address the ongoing issues at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. However, the meeting did not occur because the state government refused to comply with the junior doctors' request to have the discussions live-streamed.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Kalatan Dasgupta was among two persons who were arrested for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to attack the protesting junior doctors, police told PTI. Police lodged a suo motu case in connection with the audio clip.

The other person arrested in the case was identified as Sanjiv Das, police said.

(With PTI inputs)