Wednesday, May 31 2006 09:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Agitating medicos today (May 31, 2006) decided to continue their anti-quota strike, setting the stage for a face-off with the Supreme Court, which had indicated that continuation of the 19-day long protest can invite contempt proceedings.

The decision came in the wee hours after two back-to-back General Body Meetings of the medicos which saw sharp divisions among them on the future course of the strike that has paralysed medical services in the capital.

"The Youth For Equality and Resident Doctors' Association will go ahead with the strike. We respect the Supreme Court and its order but we expect the Court to keep in mind public interest," Dr Anil Sharma, a medicos' representative told reporters after several hours of deliberations.

Sharma said the medical shutdown in the national capital would be observed today as planned.

"OPD services in all government and private hospitals as well as clinics will remain closed," he added.

On the Supreme Court direction to call off the agitation, he said, "The stir is on in other parts of the country as well and we cannot take a decision on our own.

"Representatives from all over the country will come to Delhi on June four and coordination committee meeting would be held the following day. There would be no negotiations before that," he said.

After the Supreme Court order, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the nerve centre of the agitation saw hectic deliberations to chart out the future strategy for the stir.