Medicos continue strike in Bengal

Kolkata, May 18 (UNI) Patients continued to suffer as medicos in the state stuck to 'ceasework' in six medical colleges in the state today in protest against the proposed increase in OBC reservation quota in higher educational institutions.

The strike, except in the emergency department, continued for the third day in the state-run Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Bankura Medical College and Hospital, Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital and North Bengal Medical College and Hospital while medicos of National Medical College and Hospital and SSKM hospital observed a day's token cease work.

Students of Guru Nanak Medical Institute at Panihati in North 24 Parganas demonstrated in their institute. Students wearing black badges also protested against alleged police atrocities on students taking part in the anti quota movement elsewhere in the country.

Junior doctors of R Ahmed Medical College and Hospital also announced to join the cease work from tomorrow.

The outdoor service in these hospitals was the worst sufferer with handful of senior doctors struggling to cope with the rush of patients, queuing up for hours for treatment.

Students and junior doctors of the city's Calcutta Medical College and Hospital participated in a relay hunger strike while a central procession of the agitators was taken out under the banner of Youth for Equality.

The medicos threatened that they would continue the ceasework unless the Centre backed out from its move.

UNI KDG-XC PL PR VC1923