Chennai police arrest medical workers protesting for job regularization

Police in Chennai have detained multipurpose medical workers who were protesting for job regularization. The demonstrators, who have served in government hospitals on a temporary basis for five years, had planned a hunger strike at the Rajarathinam Maidan in Ezhumboor to demand permanent employment, medical insurance, and other benefits.

Authorities reportedly denied permission for the protest and placed several organizers under house arrest in various districts. Those who attempted to proceed with the demonstration were subsequently arrested.

The crackdown has drawn criticism from political leaders. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the arrests, describing the denial of the right to protest as undemocratic. Similarly, TTV Dhinakaran criticized the police action, characterizing the suppression of the workers' voices as an infringement on human rights and a violation of democratic principles.