Hunger strikers adamant, critical
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 22 2011:
The conditions of the seven hunger strikers who were admitted to a local hospital on Saturday have deteriorated, said the hospital authority and advised the State Government to take over their care even as the strikers reportedly continue to refuse eating and even nose feeding.
Twelve women launched a hunger strike on Augus 15 in support of the ongoing general strike launched by Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) for the creation of Sadar Hills district that began on midnight of July 31 .
Seven hunger strikers were on August 20 admitted to a community health centre at Kangpokpi under critical condition.
Their health have reportedly gone from bad to worse since they continue to fast inside the hospital and refused to eat under the supervision of the attendant doctor.
Having given up all attempts, Dr Pushpa Rai, MO in-charge at the health centre, reportedly stated in a medical report forwarded to the additional deputy commissioner that the authority at the center was unable to manage the seven hunger strikers.
"They refuse to eat and be nose fed," she said and sought the intervention of the State Government.
Meanwhile, an emailed press statement from Delhi by SHDDC said, "We feel proud of the hunger strikers who volunteered themselves to sacrifice even their precious lives for this noble cause because districthood will bring more development and strengthen the integrity of the State" .
The statement maintained that a "diplomatic approach in Delhi and meeting with central leaders are progressing.
We got attention of the VVIPs and all our meetings are positive and encouraging.
Substantial solution to end the impasse over the movement of districthood is awaiting" .
While observing that the present movement is set to be fought unto the last despite the verbal assurances and lip promises, the statement persuaded the people of Sadar Hills to "unceasingly lend helping hands, moral support and volunteers of the noble cause to continue and strengthen the movement and remain adamant for there will surely be the day we will achieve our aspiration" .
"Divisive policy of vested interests and uninvited section of communities should be ignored and not accounted to for the spirit of narrow mindedness usually brings worst result.
However, it will be good and our society would be a healthy one if everyone has the spirit of positive thinking", it said.
Meanwhile, with the agitation by SHDDC entering its 22nd day today and another agitation triggered by the Nagas since yesterday, the people of Manipur are reeling under sharp and exponential price rise of essential communities.
A 9-member Red Cross Society (RCS) Manipur led by its general secretary Dr M Lala sought a meeting with SHDDC today seeking access to National Highway 39 to ferry in life saving drugs which have run out owing to the ongoing agitation.
The SHDDC has reportedly given the permission to bring in the required drugs via National Highway 39 .
The team also went to Senapati to meet members of United Naga Council (UNC) concerning the same matter but had returned without meeting them as none of them were available at the district headquarters.
The Red Cross team then visited the seven hunger strikers at the health centre and interacted with them.
The general secretary reportedly advised the hospital authority to shift the hunger strikers immediately to Imphal as their conditions have deteriorated.
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