Students, Doctors reject Govt offer; Strike to continue

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) Striking doctors and medical students tonight held a meeting with Minister of State without Portfolio Oscar Fernandes and conveyed their decision to continue with the anti-OBC reservation agitation as they were not satisfied with the government's suggestions on the contentious issue.

''We conveyed our decision of continuing with the strike to Mr Fernandes at the meeting tonight. The government's assurance that general category seats will not be reduced is not acceptable to us,'' Youth for Equality leader Dr Neha Gami told UNI.

She said the views of the students on the government's assurance were conveyed to Mr Fernandes during the 45-minutes-long meeting at his residence. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who had held talks with the students earlier in the day, were also present at the meeting.

'' Mr Fernandes assured us that he will convey our views to the high-level committee which had talks with us earlier,'' Dr Gami said.

At an emergency meeting of the Executive Council of the 'Youth for Equality' earlier today, the striking students and doctors had turned down the government's offer and decided to continue with the stir.

About 180 medical students are on an indefinite hunger strike at AIIMS since May 13.

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