Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, October 30:
Despite the threats of stern action unless they returned to duty, striking government nurses remained defiant and have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are fulfilled.
Functioning of the JN hospital, Porompat, and health centres in various districts have been paralyzed since the nurses joined in the cease work strike called by the Joint Administrative Council (AMGEO and AMTUC) from October 28 last.
At the JN hospital, only the casualty ward is functioning with a skeleton staff.
Other wards, including the security ward have been cleared of patients, except for one or two serious cases.
The fasting Irom Sharmila Devi, and the undertrial prisoners who have been sharing the JN security ward with her have been shifted to either the Imphal or the Sajiwa central jails.
Contract nurses, student nurses and senior doctors who have not joined the strike arc manning the casualty ward of the hospital.
Speaking with IFF, a senior doctor of the JN OPD section said that the doctors in the hospital remained ready to perform their duties, but they were seriously handicapped without people to handle the clerical work.
JN hospital medical superintendent, Dr P Narendra said most patients were being turned away and referred to RIMS hospital due to the nurses' strike.
He said two matrons and 15 contract nurses were still on duty at the hospital.
In the meantime, representatives of the striking nurses, speaking to IFP, said the order of the state government directing them to return to work within 24 hours was meaningless, and declared they intended to ignore it.
Strongly criticizing the government order, the nurses declared that they have resolved to continue the strike until their demands are met.
The JAC (AMGEO and AMTUC) has also condemned the government directive.
In another development, the Imphal East District Clubs Union has issued an appeal to the nurses and grade IV staff of the hospital to withdraw from the cease work strike immediately in the interest of the general public.