Bhopal, Feb 26 IANS) Junior doctors, who struck work Friday demanding reduction in the mandatory rural service period and a hike in emoluments, called off their protest after the government agreed to consider their demands.

'We have returned to work after talks with the state Principal Secretary (Health) S.R. Mohanty who assured us that our demands would be considered sympathetically. Some of our demands have already been met,' Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) president K.K. Prajapati told IANS.

Prajapati, however, refused to elaborate on the demands agreed by the government.

The junior doctors of Bhopal, Gwalior and Rewa Medical colleges went on an indefinite strike Friday morning.

They were demanding an increase in emoluments to Rs.35,000 along with other allowances during the rural service phase. Also, the doctors want to be posted in those hospitals where their special skills can be used properly.

The doctors were asking the government to reduce the mandatory rural service period to one year from three years.

The junior doctors of the remaining two medical colleges - Indore and Jabalpur - did not join the agitation as they are bound by the court orders not to strike work.