Goyal’s removal and appointment of the new CP seems to be the first sign of a breaking the stalemate over the month-long protests, which began over the rape-and-murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Manoj Verma was the ADG (Law & Order) & IGP and Verma, a 1998 batch IPS officer. Goyal has been appointed ADG and IGP-Special Task Force (West Bengal), West Bengal government said in a notification.
The development comes a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced the removal of senior police and health officials, including removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Goyal, after the marathon meeting with the agitating junior doctors.
Goyal, a 1994 batch IPS officer, was criticised for his handling of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College Hospital. The junior doctors protested in front of Kolkata Police Headquarters Lalbazar and the doctors met Goyal and submitted a deputation, demanding his resignation.
Apart from the Commissioner of Police, Director of Medical Education (DME) Kaustav Nayak, Director of Health Service (DHS) Debasish Halder have been removed. This comes a day after the protesting junior doctors demanded removal of Commissioner of Police, DME and DHS. Swapan Soren has been appointed the new DHS while Suparna Dutta, OSD (Medical Education) will work in place of DME on a temporary basis.Following demands of the agitating doctors, Deputy Commissioner of North Division Abhishek Gupta was removed. Dipak Sarkar has been appointed the new DC-North Division. Sarkar is presently DC-East Siliguri PC.The junior doctors have demanded resignation of DC-North Gupta, following allegations by the parents of the deceased doctor, who claimed that Gupta offered them money when the body of their daughter was lying at their home.
“We welcome the decision of the Chief Minister about removal of the CP, DME and DHS. We are holding the protest now,” the agitating doctors said.
“We will let everyone know about our decision following our meeting,” a protesting doctor said. “We have heard about the Supreme Court’s order today.”
