Doctors and patients’ families need counselling in dealing with each other, especially when there are deaths, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in the Assembly on Friday.

She stressed the need for “human touch” and “love” while referring to how she resolved the recent impasse involving junior doctors.

The chief minister made the statement during the Question Hour while answering a question from the leader of Opposition, Abdul Mannan of the Congress, on the security arrangements being made for state-run and private hospitals.

Mamata said the options for penal measures were available but there was no alternative to love.

“If we wanted to, punishment was possible…. The Esma (Essential Services Maintenance Act) was invoked in Gujarat, when Narendra Modi was chief minister, in Odisha, in Delhi, in Rajasthan, in Tamil Nadu, in Haryana…. We could have. But punishment is not always the answer,” said Mamata, who is also in charge of the health department.

“Those agitating were junior doctors. I went to SSKM myself (on June 13)…. They are young. It had to be explained to them with patience and love,” she said, referring to the June 17 televised meeting at Nabanna, where she had persuaded the junior doctors to withdraw their ceasework by promising to look into their grievances.

“Bhalobeshey apon korey nitey hobey. Bhalobashar kono alternative hoy na (You’ve to make them your own with love. There’s no alternative to love).”

Junior doctors across medical colleges in the state went on a ceasework after two interns were assaulted at the NRS Medical College and Hospital following the death of a patient there on the night of June 10.

The agitating doctors had refused to yield for a week. When they finally met Mamata on June 17, they applauded her promises on hospital security and smiled with her during the talks. At the end she had them laugh with a playful comment.

On Friday, Mamata told the House what she had told the agitators at the meeting — proper behaviour is a must.

“If any patient dies, we should behave properly. Patients’ relatives must be treated well. Loss of temper does not yield anything. Those coming from various parts of the state and elsewhere, they must be made aware against laying their hands on doctors. Both sides need proper counselling, especially in dealing with deaths. Humanity, humane touch is a must,” she said.

Responding to Mannan’s question, Mamata said the state government was willing to help with security of private hospitals, if they so desire.