Medicos call off fast-unto-death stir

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, DEC. 23. The students of Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital have called off their fast-unto-death against a series of demands, following assurances by hospital authorities.

But, earlier today, the strike claimed a life when the conductor of an MTC bus was crushed to death in an accident that resulted from the traffic jam created by a road-roko of KMC students.

Police said the conductor of a route 53-PP bus had alighted to find out the reason for the traffic jam. As he was returning, the bus driver accelerated without seeing him, crushing him against a mini lorry.

On the strike front, the KMC council decided at an emergency meeting today afternoon that no action would be taken against the protesting students, and that the strike period would be considered as ``on duty''.

The post-graduate and CRRI students of the college had resorted to the strike on Friday in retaliation to the suspension of some of their batchmates. Their other contention was the poor structural condition of the Royapettah Hospital.

The hospital council today decided to revoke the suspension order against the three CRRI and a PG student, student representatives said. The authorities also assured that the Royapettah Hospital would soon be renovated wherever necessary.

Hospital officials said the initial suspension was a disciplinary action against the `erring' students.

According to them, the students had resorted to a token strike on December 15 to protest the delay in payment of stipend. Following this, suspension orders were issued against four students.

But the council has now decided to revoke the order in view of the careers of students, some of whom would be completing their courses early next year, they said.

The protesting students involved in the road-roko were arrested by Vepery police. They were released in the evening.

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