SMIS students on indefinite strike demanding MCI recognition

Gangtok, Jan 12 (UNI) Students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIS) have gone on an indefinite strike demanding recognition by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

Today is the second day of their strike.

Though established in 2000, the institute has not yet been recognised by the MCI much to the chagrin of the students. All the four hundred plus students of SMIS went on strike expressing concern over the delay in recognition.

Students said they were concerned as their first batch would pass out in March this year after completing their one year internship. The MCI is yet to recognize the institute.

The medical interns had been boycotting their course since October 2006 in support of their demand.

The agitating students announced they would continue their strike till the head of Manipal Foundation Ramdas M Pai does not come to the institute to find a solution to the problem.

SMIS Vice-Chancellor Jayat Kumar, however, maintained Dr Pai's presence would not solve the students' problem.

He said the MCI team had already inspected the institution and submitted a report. He claimed the recognition was only a matter of time.

UNI