PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The unemployed nursing graduates, who have been protesting for several days at Ekta Vihar over their long-standing demands, intensified their stir on Monday morning as they climbed atop a water tank in Parade Ground near Survey Chowk and staged demonstrations from there.
They said that this act reflected their frustration with the authorities and the government, alleging that no steps have been taken to address their demands despite a prolonged protest under the banner of the Nursing Ekta Manch (NEM) which also included a hunger strike. Notably, the stir has entered its 158th day and their hunger strike its 22nd day on Monday.
A NEM representative, Pravesh Rawat stated that even their hunger strike has failed to move the administration. “Some of us has been hospitalised, but they are maintaining a stony silence,” Rawat said.
At 4 AM on Monday, the protesters reached Parade Ground, where some of them climbed the water tank. “The president of the Uttarakhand Mahila Congress, Jyoti Rautela joined us and climbed the tank. Besides, the president of Uttarakhand Swabhiman Morcha (UBS) Bobby Panwar visited the site to lend his support to our cause,” he added.
The protestors said that they would continue with their agitation from atop the water tank until either the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami or the Health minister Subodh Uniyal engages with them about their unmet demands.
Importantly, these graduates demand a transparent recruitment process that prioritises candidates based on seniority after they complete their qualifying examinations, among other issues.
At the time of filing this report, the protesters remained atop the water tank, continuing their demonstration.
Mahila Cong head asks Health minister to act
DEHRADUN: The president of the Uttarakhand Mahila Congress, Jyoti Rautela requested the Health minister, Subodh Uniyal to acknowledge and address the demands of the unemployed nursing graduates who have been protesting at Ekta Vihar for days regarding their longstanding demands. “I am with them,” she said before climbing the tank herself.
“It is unfortunate that the State government sits on their just demands. Previously, recruitment for these graduates was conducted based on seniority, but the introduction of a new selection format is an injustice to these graduates. It is high time for the Health minister to take this matter seriously,” she said and urged all to support these graduates in their fight.
