Srinagar, Mar 19: Seeking release of five months salary, the security guards at SMHS hospital have gone on indefinite strike.
 Around 41 security guards who guard gates of the hospital and are responsible for its internal security went on strike yesterday.
 “We are paid Rs 1850 a month, but we haven’t been paid a single penny for past five months due to non-availability of funds. And that too despite the fact that we are attending our work regularly,” they said.
 The security in GMC’s associated hospitals is being managed by a private security agency M/s Perfect Security Placement-on contract for past three years.
 The guards complain that the college authorities were not paying the company its dues.
 “We are poor and are facing the worst these days,” they said.
 The strike by the guards has turned hospital into a mess. “There is no one to man the wards or the gates. The people can be seen roaming around freely in the hospital,” the doctors said. 
 The security guards in other hospitals face similar salary problems and have threatened agitation.  “We have not been granted salaries for past two months and if the problem persists we will also go on strike,” they said.
 Despite repeated attempts, the official in GMC could not be contacted.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST