The indefinite hunger-strike undertaken by Sameer Raturi has ended on Thursday. It went on for 14 days in support of the demand of Maletha Sangarsh Samiti to issue cancellation order from the State Government for all the five stone crushers operating in Maletha Gram Sabha and its adjoining villages in Tehri District.
The fasting ended after the Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyaya handed over the cancellation order involving the fourth Baluni stone crusher to Raturi. The latter drank juice in the presence of the Congress leader.The agitators celebrated the victory, shouting slogans at the site where the fasting was going on.
Upadhyaya assured them, flaunting a message from the Chief Minister Harish Rawat that the talks will be held soon with the delegation of Maletha Sangarsh Samiti, environments and other persons concerned regarding the cancellation of fifth stone crusher. On the receipt of the inquiry report, the Government would take decision of the fifth stone crusher.
After receiving a buzz that police might can lift Raturi on Wednesday, the agitators took him to a shop to elude cops. It is pertinent to mention that State Government had cancelled the operation of three out of the four stone crushers after receiving report filed by the four- member delegation appointed by the Chief Minister, which visited the hunger strike venue and inspected the site of stone crusher on 3 February.
The delegation head informed the Chief Minister about their version of things and then assured the agitators that the order for the cancellation of four stone crushers would be issued in a day or two, while the operation of Satyam Sundaram Stone crusher would be suspended till the inquiry was completed. But the State Government later sent the order for only three stone crushers. Maletha Sangarsh Samiti decided to continue with the stir till the cancellation order meant for all of them is issued.