J&K intern doctors continue protest, warn of hunger strike

Srinagar, Sep 5: The ongoing agitation by MBBS and BDS intern doctors across Jammu and Kashmir intensified on Saturday, with protesting interns holding peaceful demonstrations and reiterating their demand for an immediate enhancement of their monthly stipend.
According to reports, the protesting interns have maintained that their demand has remained pending for a considerable period and have sought a formal government order on the enhancement of the stipend, asserting that verbal assurances alone would not be sufficient to end their agitation.
The development comes a day after a delegation of intern doctors met Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo to discuss the issue and apprise her of the difficulties being faced by interns.
According to representatives who attended the meeting, the government sought time to examine the matter and take a decision. However, the interns said they want the assurance to be translated into a written and formal government order.
The representatives said they would continue their peaceful protest until a concrete decision is taken by the government. They also warned that if their demand is not addressed soon, they may intensify the agitation and resort to a hunger strike.
The intern representatives who participated in the meeting have also appealed to the protesting doctors and the public to rely only on their official statements regarding the outcome of the discussions and avoid circulating unverified information.
AIMSA J&K President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also sought greater transparency from the government regarding the discussions held with the intern delegation.
“Yesterday, you told the intern doctors’ delegation to wait for one month. Why are you not stating the same thing publicly? Interns and the people of J&K deserve transparency and clarity,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami has written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging him to personally intervene in the matter and ensure a time-bound resolution to the interns’ demand.
In his communication, Tarigami said the ongoing agitation by MBBS and BDS interns over enhancement of their monthly stipend warranted the Chief Minister’s personal attention.
He said young doctors and dental graduates undergoing internship form an important part of the healthcare system and often work long hours under difficult conditions while shouldering clinical responsibilities.
Tarigami said the interns’ demand, as he understood it, was to bring their stipend in line with what their counterparts in other states receive and to account for the rising cost of living.
He further noted that the matter had reportedly been under consideration for some time, including at the level of the Finance Department.
“Given the hardship being faced by these young professionals, the matter be taken up on priority and brought to a decision without further loss of time,” Tarigami urged.
He requested the Chief Minister to personally look into the matter and ensure that a fair and time-bound resolution is reached.
“A timely decision on your part will not only address a genuine grievance but will also reaffirm the trust of our young doctors and dental graduates in the Government,” Tarigami said in his letter.
The stipend issue has emerged as a major concern among MBBS and BDS interns across J&K, who have been demanding revision of their monthly remuneration. The interns have maintained that despite performing regular clinical duties and contributing to patient care, their stipend does not adequately reflect their workload and the prevailing cost of living.
The protesting interns have made it clear that they are ready to continue their peaceful agitation but want a concrete and written decision from the administration. (KNO)