Striking doctors defy Mamata's deadline to resume work, CM accuses BJP of giving 'communal colour'

Striking junior doctors across West Bengal on Thursday refused to end their stir till their demands on security in government hospitals are met and defied a deadline set by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who came down heavily on the protesters alleging that opposition BJP and CPI(M) were provoking them and giving communal colour to the issue.

Emergency wards, outdoor facilities, pathological units of many state-run medical colleges and hospitals and a number of private medical facilities in the state remained closed for the third day due to the strike by the doctors who are protesting after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS Medical College and Hospital here by a mob following the death of a patient.

The India Medical Association has declared "All India Protest Day" on Friday
"We will continue with our agitation till our demands are fulfilled. Our demands are simple... proper security with armed policemen at all hospitals, arrest of culprits involved in the NRS attack on Saturday under non-bailable sections,
"The BJP, with help from the CPI(M), is indulging in Hindu-Muslim politics. I am shocked to see their love affair,"
Banerjee said, "BJP chief Amit Shah is encouraging his party cadre to create communal tension and run a propaganda on Facebook."