India, July 27 -- Doctors, pharmacists and clinical assistants at Punjab's "Aam Aadmi Clinics" launched an indefinite strike on Monday, July 26, halting outpatient services statewide as workers demanded permanent government job status and better pay.

The Aam Aadmi Clinic Joint Front organized protests at multiple locations across Punjab. The state's ruling Aam Aadmi Party government operates more than 1,000 of the clinics, which offer free medical treatment and diagnostic tests.

In Hoshiarpur, Medical Officer Dr. Gurshan and Clinical Assistant Gurpreet Kaur led protesters outside the Civil Surgeon's office. They said that the state government had failed to act despite repeated meetings and memoranda submitted to officials.

The front's ...