Chennai: Acting tough, Tamil Nadu government on May 17 suspended 1,200 of the 5,000 striking medical students after talks on their demands broke down as they refused to call off their four-week stir.

The disciplinary action, which prevents them from taking their semester-end exams in June, came after the deadline given by the government to the students to call off their strike expired.

The students have been on strike since April 23 pressing for Medical Council of India's recognition to as many as 79 courses offered in various government and private Medical Colleges, increase in stipend, ban on opening of private Medical Colleges and withdrawal of moves to revise fees.

PTI