Rourkela: The indefinite hunger strike by Muktikanta Biswal, who recently walked 1,350 km on foot to New Delhi to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his promises to the people of Rourkela three years ago, has entered the third consecutive day Thursday in front of the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) here.
Meanwhile, electricity supply to the camp was disconnected and the protesters alleged that the move was a conspiracy to weaken their morale.
Muktikanta began his hunger strike from Tuesday. He said despite his best efforts, he had not been allowed to meet the Prime Minister. A few days back, Modi had visited Odisha to inaugurate the Jharsuguda airport. However, he did not remember his promise of making the IGH a super specialty hospital, Muktikanta said.
“The PM has forgotten his promise. The villagers are dying every day due to the lack of proper medical care,” Muktikanta said, adding that he would continue his strike until the Prime Minister fulfils his promises.
Convenor of Yuva Jagruti Manch Gopal Jena also joined the protest.
Upgradation of IGH into a Super Speciality Hospital & Medical College, construction of the second Brahmani bridge in Rourkela and the construction of Koel barrage are the main demands of Muktikanta.
Muktikanta, after walking around 1,350 km for more than 70 days, reached Delhi June 27 to remind Modi of his promises that he made April 1, 2015.
Modi in his speech had promised to upgrade SAIL’s IGH into a Super Speciality Hospital & Medical College.
Muktikanta staged a hunger strike initially at Ramlila Maidan and later at Jagannath Temple, Hauz Khas after failing to meet the Prime Minister.
Later, Muktikanta had launched a padayatra from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik July 30. The CM had assured him to look into the demands.
