Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120258300100.htm

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State issues ultimatum to striking medicos

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The State Government on Saturday issued an ultimatum to the protesting medicos to call off their strike and return to college by December 3.

If they did not return, the Government threatened to temporarily shut down the colleges and hostels.

In a statement, the Government said the students had promised to call off the protest after meeting Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, who had promised to write to the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister.

They did not keep the promise and, instead, continued relay fasts and demonstrations throughout the State.

The Chief Minister had fulfilled his promise by writing to the Centre. Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss had responded saying a committee had been constituted to look into the issue and that his Ministry was awaiting its report. Under the circumstance the strike was unnecessary, the release said.

Student groups were holding deliberations, till late in the night, on their next course of action.