Friday, May 12 2006 13:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Unhappy over not receiving an assurance from the Government on the issue of reservation in institutions of higher learning, medical students of Delhi today went on an indefinite strike and demanded that the controversial proposal be immediately withdrawn.

The students had earlier announced that they would wait till the Assembly election process was over for an assurance from the Government on the issue, failing which they would intensify their agitation.

"We had given the Government time till May 12, 24 hours more after the election process was over, to give us an assurance in the matter. Now, we have no option left but to go on an indefinite strike," said Amitasha, a student of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC).

Around 500 students from the medical colleges of Delhi planned to take out a march to press for their demands.

"We demand a statement on the issue from the Prime Minister. Nothing less than that will do," said Sujit Shukla, a student of Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College.

Belonging to the five premier medical colleges - LHMC, VMMC, AIIMS, Univeristy College of Medical Sciences, MAMC - of the capital, the students were already boycotting classes to protest the Government's proposal for introducing reservation for OBCs in elite institutions for higher education and in Central universities.