AIIMS row: Hunger strike enters sixth day

JAMMU: The chain hunger strike resumed by the AIIMS coordination committee ( ACC) demanding the setting up of an AIIMS here entered its sixth consecutive day today with 40 lawyers taking their turn to sit for the protest.

"40 lawyers from Jammu are sitting on the fast which has entered sixth day today," Abhinav Sharma, Chairman of the ACC told PTI.

The ACC, an amalgam of over 70 organisations, is leading the agitation for setting up of AIIMS in Jammu.

It has also given a three-day complete Jammu bandh call from July 31.

It will be the third bandh observed over the AIIMS issue.

A complete bandh was earlier observed on April 24 and May 27 after which Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh had given a written assurance that an AIIMS will be announced for Jammu by the Centre on or before July 20.

The ACC resumed its agitation from July 21, after the BJP leaders failed to fulfill their commitment to bring an order for setting up of the premier health institute in the region.

Sharma expressed hope that the three days Jammu bandh call given by ACC would be a grand success as the organisation has support of all the trade and transport unions of Jammu region.