Medics continue stir despite SC warning; Govt slams door on talks

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) Medicos leading the anti-quota protest in the capital mulled legal options tonight as their agitation lurched toward further confrontation with the judicial and executive arms of the State after the Supreme Court directed them to return to work and the Centre slammed the door on further talks.

''As of now, our strike is continuing ... We are consulting legal experts about the (Apex Court) ruling,'' Dr Anirudh Lochan, a spokesman for the protesting medicos, told reporters.

The anti-quota camp appeared divided on its next move after a vacation bench of the Apex Court, comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta, asked the medicos to discontinue their protest in public interest.

''We are told that they (doctors) are continuing with the strike, if they are overreaching our order they are in for a surprise.'' ''There are two judgements of this court which say that if the court is seized of a matter, delivering of speeches, holding demonstrations and resorting to stike could amount to contempt of court. And we can go to that extent'', the bench said.

The medicos kept insisting all through the day that they were ''consulting legal experts''. The stand was the same even after 90 minutes of discussions at a General Body Meeting of the protestors at the AIIMS.

A scheduled protest meeting outside Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital, a rally on motorbikes and a hunger strike by AIIMS faculty members was conducted as per plan, Dr Lochan said.

The brave talk came from the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) which reiterated its call for a complete medical bandh in the capital. Calling the Government ''unrealistic and unaccommodative'', DMA President K K Kapur said Delhi's medical fraternity will strike work tomorrow in support of the anti-quota agitation.

Every major and minor medical institution, private practioners and other members of the medical fraternity in the capital would boycott work in support of the demand that the Government scrap the move to reserve 27 per cent seats in centres of higher education for OBCs, he said.

The move was opposed by a faction that supports reservation and has formed the Indian National Medical Association. The INMA appealed to all doctors to open hospitals and clinics in the larger interest of the society.

Ruling out further talks with the students, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said after a meeting with the Prime Minister that the Government will take whatever steps are required to normalise medical services.

The steps included recruitment of new doctors and requisitioning the help of Army doctors, he said, while pointing out that various cabinet ministers as well as the Prime Minister himself had met the students.

''I think we have appealed enough with the students. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Oscar Fernandesji and even the Prime Minister held talks with them, yet the strike continues. We are really disheartened by their response,'' Dr Ramadoss said.

''The Prime Minister negotiating himself is unheard of. The Prime Minister is the last authority,'' he said. ''Come what may we will ensure medical services,'' he added.

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