'Should be forthright in her comments': RG Kar victim's mother demands direct action from Mamata Banerjee

NEW DELHI: The mother of the victim in the tragic rape-murder case at RG Medical College and Hospital criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for not being forthright enough about holding the culprits accountable, especially given the destruction of evidence at the crime scene and the arrest of only one suspect.

Speaking from her home on the outskirts of Kolkata on Saturday, the victim's mother called for Mamata to take a more direct and assertive stance, particularly in light of the destruction of evidence at the crime scene and the arrest of only one suspect.

"Instead of merely saying that whoever is found guilty would be punished, she should have been more categorical and direct. Considering the destruction of evidence at the crime scene, and the arrest of only one person, we were expecting the CM to be more forthright," she said.

She also demanded the arrest of all individuals involved in the crime and those attempting to cover it up. Additionally, she urged the government to refrain from taking punitive measures against the striking doctors advocating for justice and improved hospital security.

The victim's mother, however, also expressed hope that the dialogue between Mamata and the protesting doctors could lead to a resolution. This comes after agitating doctors agreed to hold talks with Bengal chief minister after her unannounced visit to the protest site outside the state health department headquarters on Saturday afternoon.

Approaching the doctors as their 'didi' (elder sister) rather than as a politician, Banerjee assured them that she would review their demands and take appropriate action if any wrongdoing was found.

The protesting doctors chanted "we want justice" as Mamata described her visit as a "last attempt" to resolve the situation.

The doctors have been demonstrating outside the Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department's headquarters, since Tuesday, demanding improved security at state-run hospitals and the removal of senior officials implicated in the rape and murder case.

Previous attempts by the government to negotiate a resolution had been unsuccessful. A planned meeting with the chief minister on Thursday was cancelled after the government refused to allow the session to be livestreamed, further escalating tensions between the parties.

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