The striking junior doctors at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital stood guard at the main gate since morning. They questioned anyone entering the hospital about the purpose of the visit. The vigil was dropped a little before 4pm, apparently after a message came from NRS hospital that the junior doctors were ready to meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee to end the stalemate.

“For most of the day, the striking doctors only allowed the relatives of those patients who are admitted to enter the wards. Anyone who came for admission was turned away,” a hospital employee said.

“The impasse will hopefully end by Monday. The Sunday footfall is anyway low,” said a striking junior doctor who was manning the gate.