LUCKNOW, Aug. 24 -- The protest by MBBS interns at King George's Medical University (KGMU) over a stipend hike was suspended on Sunday evening for 15 days following an assurance from KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh that the matter would be taken up with the state government. A large number of interns had gathered at Gate No. 1 and raised slogans demanding an increase from Rs.12,000 to Rs.30,000 a month. Eight interns were on a hunger strike as part of the agitation. Prof KK Singh said he had discussed the issue with the Director General of Medical Education (DGME), Uttar Pradesh, and deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak. "The issue of increasing the stipend of MBBS interns in Uttar Pradesh will be placed before the state cabinet within the next 15 days. September 7 has been set as the deadline," he said. The interns said the current stipend of Rs.12,000 a month was inadequate considering their long duty hours across OPDs, wards and emergency departments. They are demanding a monthly stipend of Rs.30,000. Interns from KGMU, Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) and medical colleges in Gorakhpur, Meerut and other districts joined the agitation. The protest began on Saturday, when MBBS interns from several medical colleges across Uttar Pradesh gathered at KGMU and raised slogans seeking a stipend hike....