Thousands of mid-level healthcare providers in Chennai temporarily suspended their hunger strike on October 6 after late-night discussions with the state health department, setting November 3 as the deadline for concrete action on their demands.

The nurses, who staged the strike near Rajarathinam Stadium, are demanding permanent jobs, equal pay for equal work and a salary of Rs 45,000. About 4,848 mid-level healthcare providers work on contract across Tamil Nadu, earning roughly Rs 21,000 a month.

Protesters alleged that five elected leaders who went to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat for talks were detained by police, and that officers used force during night attempts to clear the rally. Following discussions with Health Secretary Darez Ahamed, the union agreed to withdraw the strike temporarily.

Opposition leaders including M.K. Stalin and Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the government's handling of the protest and accused the ruling TVK administration of betrayal and police brutality.

The union has warned that failure to resolve unpaid increments, redesignation as Community Health Officers and other demands by November 3 could disrupt primary-care services if statewide agitation resumes.