Intensifying its stir against the proposed merger of Joint Hospital Srinagar to Medical College, the Sangyut Sangarsh Samiti, Srinagar has embarked on a relay hunger strike on Monday, ending the spells of sit-ins.
The relay hunger strike will continue up to August 24, the agitators said. Moreover, to further pressure the State Government, the agitating outfit has convened Srinagar Bandh on August 25. In case the shutdown fails to have the desired impact, they threatened to go for fast unto death from August 26. To boost the morale of the agitators, the traders’ associations based in Srinagar aside from the chemists’ association has thrown full weight behind the shutdown call.
They said the markets would remain shuttered that day to convey solidarity to the cause the strike has been called for. Mention worthy, the students’ bodies have already come forward in support of the demand SSS keeps espousing. The large attendance at a recent rally called by the outfit spearheading the stir made it clear that the people across the spectrum are solidly behind the movement.
SSS president Anil Swami alleged that the state government is apathetic vis-a-vis the emotive issue. “Neither the government is capable of providing medical facilities to the public nor is it in a position to save the Medical College and ensure sufficient medical facility at the Base hospital,” he said. Hence, their decision to step up the tempo of the stir, he added.