Chandigarh, Feb 5 (IANS) Seven members of an employees' association in the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) shaved their heads to protest the administration's failure to meet their demand for a pay hike.

Members of Operation Theatre Technical Staff Association had gone on three-day mass casual leave Thursday and continued their protest Friday even when union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived to preside over the convocation function.

"Seven of our employees have shaved their heads in public to lodge our association's protest. We did not make any effort to meet Azad as it is not our duty to run after politicians. Our demands are legal and it is the duty of our director to look after them," Naresh Gautam, secretary of the association, told IANS Friday.

Everyday around 300 surgeries are conducted at the PGIMER but Thursday and Friday, only minor surgeries were performed with the help of nurses. The disruption put patients and their attendants to inconvenience.

The agitating staff have deployed 10 of their colleagues for emergencies.

"If they (PGIMER) do not accept our demands then we would intensify our campaign in the coming days. We can also go on an indefinite strike," stated Gautam.