High drama prevailed in Gudanala, Vijayawada after six students of Fathima College, Kadapa and a parent climbed a mobile tower and threatened suicide if the government failed to give a written assurance that the students will be accommodated in other medical colleges.
After 7-hours, the protesters resigned and came down, after the Chief Minister gave them an appointment on Monday.
60 NDRF personnel, a team from the AP Disaster Response, a fire engine and an ambulance had been at the location until the students came down.
The protesters climbed the tower adjacent to the Eluru road around 9.30 am on Sunday, with a banner demanding justice. The protesters came down only after District Collector B Lakshmikantham assured them that an appointment with the CM has been fixed, and that the CM would hear their pleas, reported The Hans India.
Times of India, quoted one of the agitating students Mohammed Sharuf, “This is our last resort for justice. We have already lost two academic years and are not ready to lose another. We want the government to issue an ordinance to reinstate us in other colleges.”
The future of the MBBS students from Fathima Medical College was in jeopardy after the government had cracked down on the institution for failing to fulfil the norms of laid down by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The college lacked basic infrastructure facilities which are listed in the MCI, prompting authorities to seal the college. As a result, the students lost two academic years, and have been protesting ever since.
Later, a 9-member committee appointed by the AP Health Ministry decided to accommodate these students in other colleges in the state. However, students said that no action was taken in this regard.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Kamineni Srinivas said that he would visit New Delhi on November 29 to discuss the crisis with the Union Health Ministry.