GMC Srinagar’s terminated paramedics protest, seek reinstatement

Paramedics associated with GMC Srinagar during a protest on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Shakeel
Paramedics associated with GMC Srinagar during a protest on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Shakeel

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 7: The paramedics who had been working with the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar and Associated Hospitals for over a decade and were later disengaged, staged a protest today, demanding their reinstatement.

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Several of these disengaged paramedics appeared in the Press Enclave, raising slogans, holding placards, and pressing for their immediate reinstatement while lamenting that they were disengaged without any prior notice.
“We were engaged back in 2011, and it was a 6-year contract. However, when the contract ended, we were not disengaged and were told to continue, which we did until May of this year when we were disengaged without any proper notice,” said one of the protesting paramedics, Masarat.
She mentioned that there are nearly 300 other paramedics who were also engaged with them; however, they have been allowed to continue because their case remains sub judice.
“The remaining 300 received relief from the court, and only 90, who did not go to court, were disengaged without notice to prevent us from taking legal action,” she explained.
The protesting paramedics pointed out that there were allegations that those who were disengaged had been appointed through the backdoor. They, however, clarified that they had passed the necessary exam, which was mandatory for engagement.
The protestors emphasized that they have dedicated over a decade of their service to the institution and serving the people and were hailed as heroes during the 2014 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic but now we have been left to fend for ourselves.
Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, another paramedic who has worked at GMC, Srinagar for over 11 years, demanded that they should be allowed to continue until the court decides the matter.