Defiant nurses continue agitation in Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 17 (EMN): The Department Recruited Aggrieved Nurses (DRAN) went ahead with its third stage of dharna at the Secretariat junction in Kohima despite the state government invoking the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance Act), 1978, prohibiting the call for the cessation of work called by the nurses.

With the government order in place, the police had arrived and stayed at the protest site with polycarbonate shield and lathi accompanied by district administration officials, on Thursday. While there was no confrontation between the aggrieved nurses and the government agencies stationed there, the protestors later left the venue with their belongings.

Whether or not the agitation is still on or not cannot be confirmed as DRAN’s meeting with the Health Minister was still ongoing till the filing of this report.

Showing solidarity to the aggrieved nurses, students of Northfield School and Mt. Hermon School, Kohima met the nurses and sang songs. Representatives from the Naga Mother’s Association and Angami Angami Public Organisation also met with the aggrieved nurses separately.

The aggrieved nurses, who were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been protesting since November 9 demanding service regularisation and pending salary of four months (since July).

 They entered into the ninth day of protest on Thursday while also resorting to cease-work including emergencies and intensive care unit from November 15 onwards.