Junior doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), who were supposed to boycott OPD duty from Friday to push for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, deferred their agitation in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama, J&K, on Thursday.

The decision, taken in the morning, was communicated to this newspaper through a WhatsApp message by president of RIMS Junior Doctors Association Ajit Kumar.

“Pulwama ki dukhad ghatna se pura desh ahat hai. Hum doctor bhi shaheedon ke parijanon ke dukh ke iss ghadi mein unke saath hai. Jab pura desh ahat evam gusse mein hai waisi sthiti mein hamara andolan karna uchit nahi… hum aaj ka karya vahiskar karte hai (The whole country is saddened by the attack in Pulwama. We express our solidarity with bereaved family members of the martyrs. It is not right to launch an agitation at the moment. Hence, we are cancelling the day’s programme),” the WhatsApp message read.

Dr Kumar informed that the junior doctors would in the evening take out a candlelight vigil for the victims of the terror attack, and also observe two minutes of silence as a mark of respect.

The association plans to meet RIMS director Dr D.K. Singh to decide on their OPD boycott from Saturday morning.

“The day’s agitation has been postponed. We will take out a candle march. Members of the Indian Medical Association will join us. We will meet the director, who is supporting our demand, regarding tomorrow’s boycott,” Dr Kumar said.