Srinagar: MBBS and BDS intern doctors across Jammu and Kashmir continued their protest on Saturday, demanding an immediate increase in their monthly stipend and warning that they may resort to a hunger strike if the issue remains unresolved.
The protesting interns said their demand has been pending for a long time and insisted that only a formal government order announcing the enhancement of the stipend would satisfy them, maintaining that verbal assurances are not enough to end the agitation.
The protests come a day after a delegation of intern doctors met Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo to discuss the issue and highlight the difficulties being faced by interns.
According to representatives who attended the meeting, the government sought time to examine the matter before taking a decision. However, the interns said they are awaiting a written assurance in the form of an official order.
The representatives said the agitation would continue peacefully until a concrete decision is taken by the government. They also warned that if their demand is not addressed within a reasonable timeframe, the protest could be intensified through a hunger strike.
The delegation urged protesting interns and the public to rely only on official statements issued by their representatives regarding the outcome of the talks and avoid sharing unverified information.
AIMSA J&K president Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also called for greater transparency from the government regarding the discussions held with the intern delegation.
Referring to the meeting, Khan questioned why the government had not publicly clarified the timeframe discussed with the interns.
“Interns and the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve transparency and clarity on the issue,” he said.
