Medico turn down PMs assurance; Strike to continue

New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) Protracting the stalemate over the OBC reservation futher, striking medicos today turned down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance that concerns of all categories of students will be addressed and decided to continue the stir till he gave a ''written assurance'' on their demands.

The students and doctors took the decision at an emergency meeting of General Body Meeting (GBM) of the 'Youth for Equality', which is spearheading the agitation, after their first meeting with the Prime Minister.

They unanimously decided to continue and intensify the agitation as it was not satisfied with the Prime Minister's assurances.

''The Prime Minister has to come out in the open with his assurances. He has to tell the nation what is going on He has to give in writing...,'' Youth for Equality leader Dr Anirudh Lochan said.

''We have decided to continue with the strike. We are not satisfied with the assurances of the Prime Ministers. Since the government is not relenting... there is no question of us backing out now,'' he added.

On the 13-day of the impasse, the agitating doctors and students burnt 30 feet effigies of the Prime Minister, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh and former Prime Minister V P Singh at University College of Medical Science (UCMS) and held a candlelight march.

''We will not relent and this ''Dushera'' reflects our resolve against the people who are evil in the society,'' Dr Lochan said.

As support for the agitation kept pouring in, the Faculty Association of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RML) went on a day-long strike in support of the doctors and medical students.

OPD services in the hospital were partially affected and only emergency units were fully operational.

''We have joined the strike in support of the medical students and doctors and we are with them all the way. The government cannot deter them,'' an RML Faculty Association spokesperson said.

She said the Government's attitude towards the striking medicos was not acceptable to them.

''It has turned a blind eye towards its own children and we will fight that,'' she added.

However, RML Medical Superintendent N K Chaturvedi said the OPD functions were normal but for a very brief period.

''I spoke to the agitating doctors and told them not to cause inconvenience to the patients. Till 1030 hrs around 1,500 patients were registered with us. All the services are functioning well,'' he added.

The striking medicos performed a 'hawan' at Hindu Rao Hospital for the success of the agitation.

Grade III and IV employees of LNJP Hospital joined the strike.

Tomorrow, the medicos have called a ''Dilli Aao Desh Bachao'' protest rally at Ramlila Ground where anti-reservation activists from across the country are expected.

Organsiations from several states, including Haryana and Punjab, have confirmed their participation.

''We are expecting activists from across the country at the rally here on May 27 and we are hopeful that the turnout will be very good,'' AIIMS RDA president and Youth for Equality president Binod Patra told UNI.

The rally is scheduled to be held at the Ramlila Ground from 1630 hrs.

The striking doctors and medical students today again dissuaded candidates from appearing in walk-in interviews, being held to recruit retired and junior doctors to normalise medical services crippled due to the agitation, at Delhi Government's four hospitals.

They appealed to the candidates to not become a ''tool'' in the hands of the government to weaken the agitation and help it restore the severely-hit hospital services.

The interviews were being held at Deen Dayal Upadhayaya, Gobind Ballab Pant, Guru Teg Bahadur and Lok Nayak hospitals.

MORE UNI NR MSJ DB2146