The GVK EMRI, which operates ‘108’ ambulance services in the State suspended 160 drivers and paramedical staff on Friday, after the Health department invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) against the protesting staff of the emergency service.

“The Human Resource department suspended the protesting staff as the Health Department initiated Esma” said Parvez of GMK EMRI.

The Health department claimed that the protest did not affect the ambulance services. The staff have been staging protest seeking fulfilment of various demands including hike in their salary.

Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader had claimed that the staff were protesting only to create more problems for the patients and had warned of initiating Esma.