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A section of medical students calls off strike

— Photo: M. Vedhan

ADVICE TO PROTESTERS: Stanley Medical College Dean Mythili Bhaskaran urging the striking medicos to give up their protest, on Monday.

CHENNAI: A section of protesting medicos on Monday night called off their strike, while another group decided to continue with the protest.

In response to a request from Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the medicos ended the 15-day impasse. Students of Thanjavur, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi, Theni, Kanyakumari, Vellore Government Medical Colleges and Madras Medical College announced their decision to withdraw the protest. Talks were on to persuade students of six other government medical colleges to do the same.

Student representatives said the decision to call off the strike was taken following a meeting with Health Minister MRK Panneerselvam.

The Minister had reiterated the Chief Minister’s request to students, asking them to return to their classes, pending the submission of a report by the Sambasiva Rao Committee. Earlier, Mr.Karunanidhi, in his appeal to the students, said they were wasting their time and spoiling their career, protesting against a move that had not even come into force. He once again communicated the promise Dr. Anbumani had given him – a decision on extension of study by a year would be taken based on the recommendations of the Sambasiva Rao Committee.

In the light of this assurance, he believed that the best course of action for students was to give up their protest. Mr.Karunanidhi said while the students’ point of view was that they were willing to serve in rural areas as doctors, the Centre’s opinion was that they had to serve as students. There was only a small difference between the two.

A decision to close the colleges, where students are continuing their strike, will be taken on Tuesday morning, health department sources said.

Students belonging to many colleges preferred to vacate hostel premises and go home.

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