Hyderabad: Striking medicos in Andhra
Pradesh on Tuesday boycotted emergency services in protest against
the alleged cane-charge on a group of junior doctors here even
as their indefinite hunger strike demanding increased stipend
entered fourth day.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA),
which has called the stir, boycotted emergency medical
services at government hospitals across the state after a
group of striking doctors were allegedly caned and manhandled
by police at the Gandhi Hospital here at around 2 AM today.
"Police attacked us and resorted to caning. Condemning
the police action we boycotted emergency services between 3 am
and 9 am today," a representative of APJUDA Joint Action
Committee said.
"In order to prevent any inconvenience to patients, we
started attending to the emergency duties after the six-hour
period, but will stay away from outpatient services," he said.
The medicos yesterday rejected the government`s offer to
enhance the stipend, saying they were not for a consolidated
hike and demanded for implementation of basic pay structure,
recommended by a committee set up by the government.
The condition of four medicos out of the seven doctors
who are on fast-unto death at Gandhi Hospital since November
14, further deteriorated, even as the relay hunger strikes
continued in different districts of the state.
Meanwhile, a PIL filed against the strike in the Andhra
Pradesh High Court will come up before a division bench of the
court for further arguments this afternoon. The petitioner
complained that due to the strike the common man is suffering.
Bureau Report
