Patkar’s health worsens on Day 12 of fast, government mum

Dhar (Madhya Pradesh), Aug 7 (IANS) The indefinite hunger strike by Medha Patkar and 11 others entered the 12th day on Monday, affecting their health, as the government failed to take any concrete steps to meet their demands.

The "Narmada Bachao Andolan" founder began fasting in Dhar's Chikhalda village on July 27, demanding proper rehabilitation and resettlement of those affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project.

Amulya Nidhi, a social activist with the movement, told IANS: "Medha's health is deteriorating. There is a strong police presence here, which has scared the people."

"After the Saturday talks failed, there has been no initiative from the government's side for a dialogue."

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed concern over Patkar's health and urged her to end the fast.

He had sent a delegation to meet the agitators on Saturday but the talks, which lasted around five hours, were unsuccessful as Patkar demanded that the dam gates be opened and the delegation members expressed their inability in this regard.

Patkar's organisation claims that if the height of the Sardar Sarovar dam is raised to 138 metres, it will affect 40,000 families in 192 villages.

The Supreme Court had ordered that the height of the dam be raised only after the proper rehabilitation of the oustees by July 31. But the area where they are to be rehabilitated is not livable, the organisation says.

Patkar has been demanding that the gates of the Sardar Sarovar dam be opened and oustees be properly rehabilitated.