Kolkata Police Urge Doctor on Hunger Strike to Seek Medical Aid

The Kolkata Police have expressed concern over the health of Dr. Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor who has been on a hunger strike since October 5, 2024. On Thursday, the police urged Dr. Mahato to accept medical aid to prevent further deterioration of his health. The hunger strike is part of a protest by junior doctors over several grievances they have with the city’s healthcare situation.

According to a letter from the police that was quoted by ANI, Dr. Mahato has been participating in the hunger strike at Dornia Crossing from last Saturday, October 5, on a stage erected without official permission. The police noted that information from various sources, including a display board in front of Dr. Mahato’s stage, suggests that his health is deteriorating. “The Department of Health, Government of West Bengal, has been requested to deploy a team of doctors for you,” the letter stated. “We urge you to vacate your current place of stay and avail medical assistance to prevent further deterioration.”

In a related development, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front sent a letter to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant expressing their frustration over what they describe as the state government’s silence on their concerns. The letter noted their disappointment that it took 96 hours of their ongoing hunger strike for the state authorities to call them for a meeting. “Our previous emails went unanswered, despite hopes the government was taking our demands seriously,” the letter added.

The junior doctors are demanding a status report detailing the progress of the works carried out by the state government, asserting their right to formally understand the actions being taken. “It has been 23 days since the last meeting and without any updates or the promised audit. Hence, we request a status report of the works and the security audit undertaken by you (West Bengal government),” the doctors stated in their communication.