Nurses continue strike, seek revocation of high court order
Times of India Trichy
Jan 31, 2014, 04.57AM IST TNN TRICHY: In what is considered to be the fallout of inept handling of the nurses' issue at the K A P Viswanatham Government Medical College, nursing students braved the sun throughout the day protesting against the order of the Madurai bench of Madras high court that nurses should be appointed through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).
The trainee nurses at the KAPV government medical college first went on a flash strike on January 11 on the hospital premises resulting in the disruption of work for a few hours. They then protested the state government's decision to fill the vacancies through the TNPSC. About 300 nurses had demanded disparity between the private and government when it came to appointment. The KAPV government medical college vice-principal, Dr M A Aleem had then assured the students that the agitating nursing students' demands would be sent to the directorate of medical education (DME).
Since there was no response, the students once again went on an indefinite strike from the morning of Wednesday. All the efforts to pacify them did not curry any favour as the nurses were determined to carry on their strike throughout Wednesday night. The agitation continued throughout Thursday.
The trainee nurses also raised slogans against government's move. The nurses said that they would continue their strike, till the government issued an order revoking the TNPSC examination. They said that despite their long struggle, no concerned officials called them so far to hold talks.
A large posse of police personnel was posted in and around the hospital. Since the nurses staged the agitation near the main entrance, 108 ambulances were diverted through other entrances. Dean, MGMGH, Dr P Karkuzhali told reporters that they had already sent the demands of nurses to the DME and they were helpless in the absence of any reply from the directorate.