Maoist leader Azad breaks fast

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Apr 20:

Maoist leader D Keshav Rao alias Azad today called off his fast at the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Odisha’s Cuttack following an assurance from Additional Director General (Prisons) to fulfill three out of his five demands.

Azad, who was on an indefinite hunger strike for the last 21 days demanding fulfillment of his five-point charter of demand, including a speedy trial, regular production in court in connection with cases against them and status of political prisoner broke his fast following discussions with ADG (Prisons) Arun Ray.

Ray informed reporters that Azad has called off his fast. He said that he has promised Azad to look into his demands and discuss it with senior officers.

“Azad’s health condition is okay and there is nothing to worry about. Had he continued with his hunger strike it could have got serious,” said Dr CBK Mohanty under whom Azad was undergoing treatment.

The Maoist leader who was lodged in Jharpada Special Jail since 2011 began his hunger strike inside the jail on March 30 demanding fulfillment of five-point charter of demand.

He was first admitted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on April 9 and shifted to SCBMCH the next day as his health condition deteriorated.