Ongoing Sit-in by Assam 108 Emergency Staff Demands Regularization

Protest Continues in Guwahati

On December 3, members of the All Assam 108 Mrityunjoy Employees Association, which includes ambulance drivers, technicians, and emergency response personnel, are maintaining their sit-in protest at the Chachal ground. They are pressing for the regularization of their employment.

An association representative stated that the demonstration will persist until the state government addresses their requests, which involve regularizing nearly 3,000 employees, ensuring equitable wages, and providing overtime pay.

The ongoing strike has caused significant disruptions to emergency ambulance services throughout Assam. However, officials from EMRI Green Health Services, which operates the 108 service, reported that they have managed to sustain operations by utilizing temporary staff and reallocating resources.

In a statement, EMRI indicated that the issues raised by the employees primarily pertain to government policies that are outside the organization's control. They expressed that they are not against any additional benefits or salary increases that the government may decide upon. However, they noted that the sudden strike has caused unnecessary hardship for the people of Assam. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted emergency services.

EMRI reported that all support and supervisory staff were mobilized to keep the Emergency Response Centre operational without any downtime. On the first day of the strike, seventy ambulances were in operation with assistance from the government and district administration. The statement also highlighted initial difficulties as some employees allegedly took ambulance keys and official phones, which were later recovered with the help of administrative and police intervention, allowing more units to resume service.

EMRI has called on the striking employees to return to work immediately for the sake of public welfare, warning that extended absences could complicate their reinstatement if their positions are filled by alternative personnel. The organization expressed appreciation to the government, district authorities, and the public for their understanding, while lamenting the inconvenience caused by the ongoing situation.

Previously, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated during a press conference in Bongaigaon that the government would not engage in discussions until the protest is concluded.

He remarked, "We will only discuss the matter once the protest ceases. I am disappointed with them for not organizing health camps. They are boycotting health camps. Those working in NHM receive salaries for patient care, yet they themselves do not conduct health camps. This government will not be intimidated. They must apologize for their failure to conduct health camps."