Nurses in Chennai face mass detentions during protest for job security

Nurses under the Tamil Nadu Intermediate Health Workers’ Association staged a hunger strike near Rajaratnam Stadium in Chennai, demanding permanent employment, job security, and a salary increase from approximately Rs 21,000 to Rs 45,000. They also sought equal pay for equal work and the payment of pending incentives.

The protest escalated when police reportedly detained over 1,000 nurses and arrested several leaders. Allegations surfaced that protesters were invited for talks at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat only to be detained by police instead. Critics and opposition leaders, including DMK's M. K. Stalin, Kanimozhi, and Udhayanidhi Stalin, condemned the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, labeling the police action as a betrayal of election promises regarding job regularization.

Opposition figures, including former minister Mano Thangaraj and MLA Premalatha Vijayakanth, also expressed support for the nurses, criticizing the late-night arrests and the government's failure to fulfill its commitments. The protesters have threatened to resume their agitation if their demands are not met by November 3.