Jammu/Srinagar, October 27 –Ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Kashmir, Striking doctors of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening called off their 23 day long strike and agreed to resume their duties with immediate effect after the government assured to resolve their issues by November 16.
.
According to government spokesman the high level committee comprising of Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather as Chairman, Health Minister, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Medical and Technical Education, R S Chib, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, Javed Ahmed Dar, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Commissioner/Secretary Finance, Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner/Secretary Health & Medical Education, Atal Dullo and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, M K Dwivedi in a meeting with representatives of striking junior doctors agreed to resolve doctors’ issues by November 16.
Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone was also present on the occasion.
Expressing satisfaction over government decision, spokesperson of JDA Dr. Sandeep said after that threadbare discussion with the committee members it was unanimously decided to call off the strike and resume their duties from tomorrow. He said discussions were also held with counterparts in Srinagar who also agreed to the decision of government.
Addressing media persons soon after the meeting, Rather said that several rounds of talks were being held both at Srinagar and Jammu with different organizations of doctors to ensure unanimous decision so as to end the stalemate. He said their issues were given due consideration and it was mutually agreed to call off strike. He said due to the visit of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, s Sonia Gandhi and ensuing durbar move, the government has given November 16 date for issuing necessary orders to this effect.
Rather said that government would ensure that the doctors do not suffer in any case. He also agreed to mitigate their other grievances at the earliest.
Emerging from the meeting the representatives of the striking doctors expressed their satisfaction with the blue print prepared by the state government. Dr Neeraj Sharma said that though he cannot divulge the details of the agreement struck with the state government but gave subtle hints in a bid to convey his colleagues that the doctors have retained their pride and fought for it till the end without bending and begging.
Thanking the doctors fraternity for supporting the strike through the tough times Dr Neeraj Sharma signaled thumps up trying to convey to his colleagues that it is their victory and they have won the battle of nerves. "I am one of your voice, it is the victory of our unity displayed by the doctors of all ranks during the last 23 days, he added.
Expressing satisfaction over government’s decision a spokesperson of JDA, Kashmir, said after that threadbare discussion with the committee members it was unanimously decided to call off the strike and resume the duties from tomorrow. He thanked the government for resolving their problems in an amicable manner.