The agitating Junior Doctor Association (JDA) of the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, on December 5 decided to continue their strike till their demand is met.

The decision came a day after representatives of the JDA called on Health Minister Pratap Jena over the issue. The demands of the junior doctors, who were on strike since November 17, include removal of Director of the institute whom they accused of taking unilateral decisions against students.

JDA vice-president Himanshu Mishra said, "We submitted documents and evidences, which substantiated our allegations. But the government has remained indifferent to our demands." He said, the team, which probed the veracity of the allegation made against the VIMSAR authorities, is yet to submit its report.

Though the agitation entered its 19th day on Wednesday, the government has not taken any decision on the demand. "Hence, we have decided to continue with the cease work," he added. Earlier, in the day, a meeting was convened in presence of the Sambalpur District Collector Samarth Verma, Dean and Principal of VIMSAR, Prof Braja Mohan Mishra besides the representatives of the junior doctors.

In the meeting, the junior doctors were urged to withdraw to cease work but they refused. The agitation has badly hit the services in the biggest health care centre of Western Odisha.