Agitating DMLT, DMRT students scuffle with cops in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Protesting government apathy, All Odisha Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) and Diploma in Radiology Therapy (DMRT) Students’ Union staged a demonstration in Bhubaneswar today that triggered tension after the agitating students scuffled with cops at Rajmahal square during an attempt to gherao Odisha Health Minister, Pratap Jena’s residence.

The Students wing of Congress also backed the agitation alleging State government's failure in resolving the various problems faced by the students.

“We tried to gherao the residence of Health Minister as the government is playing with the future of students. We will gherao Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence if the five-point charter of demands of the students is not fulfilled within seven days,” said Itish Pradhan, president of the student wing of Congress.

DMLT and DMRT students have been demanding immediate closure of diagnostic centres and laboratories that are operating illegally in different parts of Odisha, appointment of technicians and pathologists by setting up new diagnostic facilities and withdrawal of steps to privatize of government hospitals.

“It is almost 21 days that we have been staging demonstrations across Cuttack, Burla and Berhampur. Our future is in dark due to certain government policies,” said Liza Patnaik, a protesting student.