Mysore/Mysuru: Two employees of Holdsworth Memorial Hospital (Mission Hospital) who are on an indefinite protest along with many other Hospital employees, allegedly attempted to commit suicide by consuming phenyl during the protest on Monday. The protest entered the 17th day today.

Meanwhile, Mandi Police have written to the officials of the Labour Welfare Department seeking immediate action.

The two employees, who had consumed poison are 42-year-old Rajesh and 52-year-old Manjunath. They were immediately rushed to K.R. Hospital, where they were treated. One of them was discharged on Tuesday.

The Hospital employees are staging an indefinite protest under the banner of Holdsworth Memorial (Mission) Hospital Employees Union since July 15 seeking clearance of salary dues, remittance of their share of money deducted to their Provident Fund (PF)  accounts and ESI.

Following the incident, Mandi Police Inspector, anticipating that the protesters may intensify their stir, has written a letter to the Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) seeking immediate response pertaining to the employees’ demands.

In the letter, Mandi Police have stated that the Hospital employees on July 2 had submitted a memorandum to yourself (Assistant Labour Commissioner) highlighting the issues regarding their salaries and Provident Fund. They (employees) had also warned of intensifying their protest, if their problems were not solved at the earliest.

From July 15, the employees have begun their indefinite protest in the Hospital premises and on July 29, two striking employees consumed poison, took ill and have been admitted   to K.R. Hospital.

If their problems are not solved, there could be disturbance in the law and order situation, which could also result in loss of lives and damage to properties. Hence there is a need to take immediate action from your Department, the letter from Mandi Inspector to Assistant LabourCommissioner added.