GUWAHATI, May 23 � The indefinite fast undertaken by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) chief Akhil Gogoi demanding a halt to the ongoing work at the Lower Subansiri hydel project and police atrocity on protesters entered the fifth day today.
A KMSS statement said that there was a marked deterioration in the health of the peasant leader, characterized by very low blood pressure and blood sugar level.
�Attending doctors from the GMCH have asked Gogoi to get admitted to a hospital and take saline and other medicines � something flatly refused by him. Doctors apprehend that in this manner he will collapse into a coma,� the statement said.
Gogoi has made it clear that he would continue with his fast unless and until the State Government facilitates a negotiated pro-people settlement on the issue of mega dams. The Government, however, has not made any response towards this, said the statement.
KMSS activists today staged demonstrations including rail blockades across the State demanding that the Government act to end the impasse. Seventeen of the agitators were arrested and later released by police near Naojan railway station at Sarupathar.
Some students of Gauhati University have also started a fast as a mark of solidarity with Gogoi�s protest.
The KMSS warned of State-wide road and rail blockades if the Government remained inert.
Many political parties and non-political organizations have extended their support to Gogoi�s fast.
A citizens� meet in the city on Tuesday decried the Government�s �insensitivity� over Gogoi�s fast, and requested the peasant leader to end his fast in view of his deteriorating health.
