Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sent a "fifth and final" invitation to protesting doctors for talks at her residence in Kolkata, even as the deadlock between the two sides over the Kolkata doctor's rape-murder continues. The doctors have been invited for a meeting at 5 pm.
"This is the fifth and final time we are reaching out to you for a meeting between the Honourable Chief Minister and your delegates. In line with our discussion from the day before, we are once again inviting you to a meeting with the Honourable Chief Minister at her Kalighat residence for a discussion with an open mind," Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant's letter to the doctors read.
The doctors are currently holding a general body meeting after which they will decide whether they accept the invitation for talks.
"We trust that good sense will prevail, and as mutually agreed and as per your statement to the media day before, there will be no live-streaming or videography of the meeting, given that the matter is sub judice in the highest court of the country. Instead, the minutes of the meeting will be recorded and signed by both parties," the letter said.
In the letter, the government reiterated the Supreme Court asking protesting doctors to resume duties, saying it was "our bounden duty, as law-abiding citizens, to follow and adhere to the apex court's directive".
The same delegation that engaged in talks with Banerjee for the last meeting at her residence has been asked to arrive at the Bengal Chief Minister's residence at 4.45 pm.
"We look forward to your positive response and a productive and fruitful discussion," the letter further said.
A delegation of protesting doctors met Mamata Banerjee at her residence on Saturday in heavy rain as they continued their protests, demanding justice for the gruesome rape-murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Bengal Chief Minister had asked the doctors to join the talks as they stuck to their demand to livestream the meeting. The talks did not go as planned, with Banerjee citing constraints about the livestream.
Banerjee also invited the doctors for tea, but they declined the offer, saying they would only accept when justice is served.
