Patiala, April 10 -- Health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday warned the protesting nurses to resume duties or face action. Nursing staff at three government medical colleges and hospitals have been on indefinite strike for the past 15 days, defying the state government's decision to invoke the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) over the demand for the restoration of the Rs.4,600 grade pay. "It had come to my notice that protesting nurses attempted to shut down an operating theatre (OT). If any patient dies because of such actions, an FIR will be registered," the minister said, adding that nursing students had to be roped in to ensure that patient care was not affected during the strike. "Around 5,000 nursing students will work without remuneration. Patient care will not be affected at all," he said. Calling the allegation of trying to shut down OT baseless, the United Nurses Association, Punjab, said the health minister was misleading the public, adding that they have been protesting outside the hospital since Day One.HTC...