Fasting top Odisha Maoist Sabyasachi hospitalised

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Berhampur, Apr 4:

The hunger strike launched by Odisha’s top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda inside the Berhampur Circle jail to press his demand for certain rights as a prisoner entered the fifth day today.

A visibly weakened Panda was admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here today.

Doctors at the hospital, however, said his condition was stable.

“The health condition of Sabyasachi is stable. He is here after a five-day long fast. He might have suffered from dehydration. We have checked all his vital parameters such as blood pressure and pulse and have given him the required medicines. The overall condition is alright now and there is nothing to worry. We hope he will recover in two to three days,” said Medicine Specialist Uma Shanka Mishra MKCG Hospital.

Panda said he was on fast to defend his rights as a citizen and a prisoner.

“The government has arrested me since past nine months. But they are not even telling me how many cases have been registered against me. I have been kept in solitary confinement. The prison authorities are blocking my petitions and not letting them reach the intended recipients. I am fighting for my rights as well as the rights of other prisoners,” said a clearly ailing Panda.

Security in the medical college was strengthened with deployment of additional police force, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sarangi said.

It may be noted that Panda had sent a letter on March 24 to the IG of Jails via the jail superintendent requesting him to inform him about the details of cases registered against him across all police stations of the state, to allow him to roam freely inside the jail and to send his complaints and court petition to the correct departments and the court.

He has been on fast demanding fulfilment of these three in Berhampur Circle Jail of Odisha since March 31 as his demands have not been fulfilled even after his letter to the IG.