Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011807210300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Medicos resent Kodela's `remark'

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL, JAN.17.The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors' Association has taken exception to the Health Minister, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao's reported statement that anti-social elements have joined hands with the agitators.

In a press release here on Saturday, the association demanded that Mr.Rao put forth the proof to substantiate his charges.

Meanwhile, four junior doctors -- A.Naveen Reddy, N.Ranjit Kumar, Gayitri and K.Ramakanth--launched the fast-unto-death. Earlier, four medicos were forced to give up their fast due to deteriorating health conditions.

"If the Government failed to agree with our demands within three days, the four doctors, who are under medication, would also join the hunger stir,'' the association's president, P. Surender, and the general secretary, V.Kiran, said.