Invited for talks, then arrested: Protesting nurses accuse Vijay govt of betrayal

A lawyer representing protesting nurses alleged on Monday that five leaders were arrested after being invited to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat for talks.

Police also detained nurses on hunger strike in Chennai after they refused to disperse beyond the allotted time.

Nurses from across the state gathered near Rajaratnam Stadium for the protest organised by the Tamil Nadu Intermediate Health Workers’ Association.

They are demanding a monthly salary of Rs 45,000, equal pay for equal work, permanent employment, job security and payment of pending incentives.

Advocate Varatharaajan, who is providing legal support to the protesters, alleged that police had conveyed the government’s invitation for talks.

“All 4,000 nurses decided to send only five leaders for compromise talks. But after they entered the Secretariat, the police arrested them and betrayed us,” he alleged.

Calling it a “great betrayal”, he vowed to continue the agitation.

“This is a police state. Vijay’s government is a police state. We will continue our protest. Even if they lock us in jail, we will continue our protest,” he said.