UP announces harsh steps against striking medicos

Lucknow, May 22 (UNI) Even as the striking doctors of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) held a candle light procession demanding roll back of the proposed reservation to OBCs, the Uttar Pradesh government today announced harsh steps against the medicos, on strike since Friday.

Anti-reservation supporters this evening took out 'March for Equality', a candle light procession from Hazratganj, in which people from all walks of life participated.

State home department spokesperson here said ESMA had been invoked and doctors given 24 hrs ultimatum to join duties.

Of the 213 resident doctors at SGPGIMS, 192 are on strike to protest reservation to OBCs in government-aided institutions of higher education.

Meanwhile, Ambedkhar Mahasabha today held a march in favour of reservation, which was led by Magsaysay Awardee Sandeep Pandey.

The reservation supporters claimed it was their right to get opportunities in higher education.

On the other hand, SGPGI resident doctors defied ESMA to continue with the strike, paralysing emergency and OPD services since Friday.

SGPGI resident doctors assocation president Amit Goel told UNI here they would continue their strike and any harsh action by the government would not crack their agitation.

He, however, maintained there was no official announcement of ESMA against the striking doctors of SGPGI.

Yesterday, the state government had declared the strike illegal and gave them 24 hrs to return to their duties, following which the ''process to terminate their service would begin.'' Some MD students too are on strike. They have also been served notice to return to classes in the next 24 hrs. Meanwhile, SGPGIMS has ordered cancellation of leave to all senior doctors.

SGPGIMS has 120 doctors and it is recalling 45, who are on leave.

The decision indicated the institute administration's apprehensions that the strike may continue for a while.

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