Thursday, April 27 2006 12:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Students and interns of five medical colleges here went on an indefinite strike today (Apr 27, 2006) protesting against the proposed move to increase OBC quotas in educational institutions.

Students of Maulana Azad Medical College, Lady Hardinge Medical College, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, University College of Medical Sciences and Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College were boycotting lectures and staying away from OPD services, leader of the group Anirudh Lochan told sources.

The resident doctors have also extended their support to the agitation and would be joining the students during the demonstrations, he claimed.

"Only OPD services would be affected and other services would be normal to ensure that patients do not suffer," he added.

Maulana Azad Dental College and Hospital Principal Dr Mahesh Verma, however, said "The students and the resident doctors are on a one-day token strike".

Some students have also decided to boycott the ongoing exams of the second and fourth semester, Lochan said adding it was their individual decision.

"We have not yet decided on boycotting the exams but some students are doing it on their own," he said.

Medical students clashed with the police yesterday when they were stopped from moving towards HRD Minister Arjun Singh's residence to register their protest against the Centre's proposed move to increase OBC quotas in educational institutions.