JAMMU: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Coordination Committee on Sunday decided to extend the ‘bandh’ called for demanding a separate AIIMS hospital in Jammu by 72 hours.
“In the core committee meeting the decision was unanimous that since the demand of coordination committee for announcement and sanctioning of separate independent AIIMS for Jammu has not been met, so the members of the coordination committee were of the opinion that this ‘bandh’ call should be given an extension of 72 hours,” AIIMS Coordination Committee president, Abhinav Sharma, told ANI.
“So Jammu will observe further ‘bandh' of 72 hours commencing tomorrow till August 5,” he added.
Earlier in the day, clashes had broken out between the police personnel and members of the AIIMS Coordination Committee as the latter continued with its protests over the issue.
The District Magistrate of Jammu had yesterday imposed Section 144 in the region.
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda had earlier announced that Jammu region will also get "AIIMS-like" facility in the wake of demands by the locals.
The Centre had earlier this year announced that it plans to set up six new AIIMS in six different states in order to cater to the growing demands for more doctors across the country.