Kottayam, Kerala:
Medical students, house surgeons and junior doctors of five medical colleges in Kerala have decided to go on an indefinite strike on Monday following "failure" of talks with government on compulsory rural service and bond system.
"We have been forced to take this step as the authorities totally failed to address our issues though we staged strikes now and then for the last three months," Kerala Medicos Joint Action Council (KMJAC) Vice-President Dr PD Jinesh told reporters.
Around 8,000 medical students, including house surgeons, junior and senior doctors, have been on a relay hunger strike since April 11 in protest against the implementation of three years of compulsory rural service.
KMJAC Secretary Dr KV Krishnakumar said they were forced to take the step as talks with Health Secretary Rajiv Sadanandan on April 17 had not yielded any result.