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Life affected in Chandigarh as striking doctors block traffic

Special Correspondent

Gates of Government hospitals locked and bid to enforce a "bandh" in the city

CHANDIGARH: Normal life was thrown out of gear here on Tuesday as resident doctors and medical students blocked traffic, especially at the roundabouts, by forming human chains to lodge their protest against the reservation policy of the Centre. Confusion prevailed as policemen were unable to control the movement of traffic. Tempers ran high as some vehicle-owners could be seen arguing with the medicos to allow them passage.

The striking doctors also locked the gates of Government hospitals and tried to enforce a "bandh" in the city. Shop-owners in different Sectors downed shutters but later reopened when the students dispersed. Doctors blocked traffic outside the Inter- State Bus Stand. Shopkeepers in Sector 8 market observed a token bandh by downing their shutters for some time.

The medicos also squatted on railway tracks for nearly 15 minutes delaying the departure of the New Delhi-bound Jan Shatabdi Express.

Meanwhile, resident doctors of the PGI and the Government Medical College and Hospital have decided to burn their degrees on Wednesday. The PGI faculty members also proceeded on a day's mass casual leave to express solidarity with the striking medicos.

PGI officials said emergency services were not affected by the anti-reservation agitation.

UNI adds

Medical services in most of the government and private medical colleges in Punjab, Haryana were hit on the 16th consecutive day as resident doctors and medical students continued their stir against reservation.

In Amritsar, medical services were affected at Guru Nanak Hospital, SGPC run Guru Ram Dass Institute of Medical Services and Research following the strike by residents doctors and students.

Medical services at Dayananad Medical College (DMC), Lord Mahavira Homoeopathy Institute and Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College in Ludhiana were badly affected as strike by medical students and resident doctors continued. However, Christian Medical College (CMC) continued to function normally.

Medical services at PGIMS, Rohtak were hit as resident doctors and medical students continued with their strike. In Patiala, the OPD services were affected as medical students, with interns and junior doctors of Government Medical College, Government Ayurvedic College, Government Dental College continued with their anti-quota agitation.

Medical services paralysed in M.P.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's appeal to the doctors to resume duty, junior doctors in Bhopal and elsewhere in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday continued their agitation against OBC reservation, paralysing work in all hospitals attached to medical colleges.

``We are in contact with the agitating doctors in New Delhi and the new course of action will be taken later, '' State Junior Doctors Association President Manish Rawat said.

At Bhopal's Hamidia hospital, relay hunger strike by junior doctors continued. A medical bandh and a maharally are proposed tomorrow. Junior doctors in Indore, Gwalior, Rewa and Jabalpur continued their protest, Mr Rawat added.

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