Nursing students in Kannur district of Kerala on Wednesday called off their agitation after the Collector decided to put on hold his order directing nursing college principals to deploy the students in hospitals affected by nurses’ strike.
In the morning, Collector Mir Mohammed Ali and representatives of the Student Nurses’ Association held talks in Kannur.
The July 16 order of the Collector that directed that students be deployed in hospitals for five days from July 17, however, has not been completely withdrawn in view of the situation arising out of the strike by nurses in private hospitals.
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“No health crisis has actually taken place as visualised and that is why we are not taking any punitive action against the students,” Mr. Ali said, adding that the students assured him that they were ready to provide all assistance in case of an emergency situation.
The Collector’s order, warning that students who abstain from ward duty will face disciplinary action, including dismissal from the course, drew flak from various quarters, including political parties. The students also took to the streets in protest and warned that they would begin an indefinite strike if the order was not withdrawn.