The junior doctors also announced that all medical colleges and hospitals across the state will hold a symbolic hunger strike from 9 am to 9 pm on Tuesday – the fourth day of their indefinite hunger strike.

“We have not received any message from the state government. No external pressure will be able to move us from our path of protest seeking justice,” said Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor actively involved with West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum.

“We will continue the protest till all our demands are met… It’s now or never,” Mahato added. Some senior doctors also joined the hunger strike at the protest site in solidarity with their juniors.

“We have joined the young doctors to support them. Moreover, 10-13 other senior doctors will join them. They will also fast for 24 hours,” said Dr Srabani Maitra, who joined the fast with colleague Dr Srabani Chakraborty. Both Mitra and Chakraborty are former students of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Later in the evening, junior doctors gheraoed Bowbazar Police Station in central Kolkata for about three hours after police allegedly did not allow protesters to bring a cot to their dharna spot in Esplanade.

The doctors were later allowed to take the beds and chairs. “Police were saying that we will not be allowed to keep the beds and chairs here as these materials can hurt the passersby. What an illogical statement,” said a junior doctor.

Seven junior doctors are currently on indefinite hunger strike to protest against the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar hospital and 10-point demands, including safety of health workers in hospitals.

—With PTI inputs

Click here to join The Indian Express on WhatsApp and get latest news and updates