Strike in JIPMER continues despite termination warning

Pondicherry, Sep 13 (UNI) Defying termination warning by the Director of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), the employees continued their indefinite strike for the sixth day today affecting medical services in the centrally-administered institution.

The agitation started on September eight to protest against the conversion of JIPMER into an autonomus institution. The Union Cabinet had already given the green signal.

Pondicherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy had yesterday told a delegation of the striking staffs which called on him that they should resume duty in order to ensure patients care forthwith.

He was prepared to take them to Prime Minister Monmohan Singh to hold talks, he said.

PMK Parliamentary party leader Prof M Ramadass and leaders of various political parties, including the JIPMER anti-conversion peoples action committee preseident T Murugan have appealed to the workers to join duty.

JIPMER Director Dr Subba Rao had issued a warning stating that employees who failed to turn up for duty before 1000 hrs today, disciplinary action, including termination would be initiated.

Leaders of the employees union keen on ending the strike were holding talks with the employees from 0700 hrs this morning to convince them to call off the stir. However, the employees felt that withdrawing the strike at this juncture would amount to accepting defeat and were reluctant to end the stir. With no other option, the leaders also agreed to continue the strike.

Meanwhile, the nurses barged into the Director's room and gheraoed him for issuing a termination warning.

A strong contigent of police force has been posted in the JIPMER premises as well as outside the campus to maintain law and order.

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