Former Nabarangpur Congress MP Pradip Majhi and five other Congress members have taken ill in the Umarkote Sub-Jail.
Majhi and 17 other party members are on an indefinite hunger strike ever since their arrest on June 26.
The condition of Majhi and five other Congress men is stated to be critical. Two of Majhi’s supporters, Munna Tripathy and Khirod, have been shifted to the local Government hospital.
“Pradip Majhi has complained of chest pain. He is suffering from dehydration, and his blood pressure has dropped. His condition will further deteriorate if he doesn’t take food immediately. Munna Tripathy’s blood pressure has gone up and that of Jatindra has dropped. Akhil Bhatra is suffering from diarrhoea and his blood pressure has dropped,” said Dr Debasish Tripathy speaking to reporters here after his visit to the jail to check the health condition of Majhi and his supporters.
Earlier on Saturday, Majhi along with his supporters was arrested after a demonstration in front of the forest office turned violent. The demonstrators allegedly ransacked the Raighar Forest Range office and beat up the Ranger. The activists were demanding immediate allotment of forestland patta to tribals and conduct of a fresh survey to identify eligible BPl beneficiaries of ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Meanwhile, a dawn-to-dusk bandh, called by the Congress on Tuesday to protest against the arrest of Majhi and others, threw life out of gear in Nabarangpur. Commercial establishments and educational institutions were closed in response to the 12-hour bandh call.
The agitators pelted eggs at the residential office of the Nabarangpur district Collector. Two Congress workers were detained in connection with the incident. Congress activists also had a scuffle with policemen during the bandh.
Three platoons of police personnel were deployed at Nabarangpur, Raighar and other areas. However, the deployment was increased at several parts to avoid any further untoward incident.