Aggrieved nurses continue protest as another meeting ends inconclusively

2nd  phase agitation begins with nurses wearing scrub suits in protest

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 15

Nurses appointed during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Department Recruited Aggrieved Nurses’ (DRAN) 2021 began their second phase of agitation on November 14, in the form of wearing scrub suits.

DRAN has been in a peaceful sit-in protest demanding service regularisation since November 9 at the New Secretariat Junction, Kohima. Consequent to the inconclusive meetings held between the department officials and DRAN, with the former requesting the members to call off their protest, DRAN has been firm on its demand for ‘legitimate rights’ of service regularisation as advertised by the government on July 16, 2020 following the Cabinet decisions taken on June 11, 2020 and June 23, 2020.

Interestingly, the Department of Health & Family Welfare had called for a third meeting today, headed by the Secretary, Health negotiating to call off the protest and sit for NPSC examination.

However, a member of DRAN informed that it stands firm on its demand for regularisation adding “what they are offering/doing is unfair for all”. He informed that DRAN has rejected the proposal to ‘sit for NPSC with consideration of marks’, as all its members have undergone the due processes of appointment.

“We only want the concerned authority to honour the Cabinet decisions and the guidelines for recruitment and service conditions” as notified on July 5, 2020 and deliver justice to DRAN members of its legitimate rights of service regularization, he said.

Standing firm on its demand, DRAN said that it will continue its sit-in protest, which would be intensified in due course of time. Meanwhile, it has thanked all its well wishers for their support in various forms, and further maintained that this issue should not be politicised in any manner.

KSU stands with nurses
The Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) has expressed support to the aggrieved nurses under the DRAN 2021. 

A press release from the KSU said that these nurses were recruited through proper process by the concerned authority including interview with the expert panel and have relentlessly rendered their service at their best when COVID cases were at its peak. 

“However, it is utter shock to see that the genuine demands of aggrieved nurses for regularization of their service were denied by the concerned authority, when the concerned authority has already advertise in local dailies of recruiting nurses on regular basis,” it stated. 

“Mon district being one of the largest populated depending only on a lone District Hospital is facing untold hardship in accessing public health facilities due to ongoing nurses agitation,” the KSU informed. It asked the authority to expedite the matter swiftly.

NNagaDAO say nurses have suffered most enduring conditions
The Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisations (NNagaDAO) has called upon the Health Minister and State Government to regularise the service of the aggrieved nurses.  

“The aggrieved nurses were recruited and put to the task against COVID-19, during the time when the pandemic was overwhelming in our state. It was a period when the State faced unprecedented challenges to the health care system due to an acute shortage of nurses, beds, and medical supplies, including personal protective equipment etc,” it stated. 

It reminded that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed them to the most enduring conditions that threatened their health, and well-being, and they have undergone numerous anxieties by the risk of exposing themselves and their families to the virus. 

“Now that the COVID-19 war like Situation has vastly improved, it is unfortunate to see the fate of the Covid warriors being treated in such a manner whereby their legitimate rights which they rightfully deserve are being denied,” it said. 

ZSUN slams govt’s ‘adamant’ stand
The Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZSUN) has expressed disappointment at the “adamant stance” of the State Government on the ongoing agitation. 

“It will be apathetic and inhumane on the part of the government to thoughtlessly ignore the legitimate demand of the nurses who have rendered their invaluable services for the safety of the people by standing at the frontline, risking their lives and leaving their family and loved ones behind at the time when the world was plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic,” a press release from the ZSUN said.

“Besides the sacrifices they have made, we are all aware of the recruitment process that was done fairly even during the pandemic through the Department Recruitment Board as per the government advertisement to meet the much-needed nurses. Also they are the first in the history of nurses to be recruited through proper exams for the regular state service,” it reminded.

The union asked the immediate interventions of the Chief Minister, State Health Minister, and the concerned department to ensure “due gratitude for the tremendous sacrifices and services the nurses have rendered, and also deliver justice by materializing their genuine cries and grievances.”

Source: https://morungexpress.com/aggrieved-nurses-continue-protest-as-another-meeting-ends-inconclusively