One more fasting youth Congress activist in Orissa hospitalised

Intensifying its fasting agitation for waiver of crop loans for rain-hit farmers, Orissa Pradesh Youth Congress (OPYC) would launch relay hunger strikes in all districts from tomorrow even as another worker was hospitalised here today as his condition deteriorated.

One more youth Congress worker was taken to Capital Hospital here as his condition worsened due to dehydration, while five fasting activists had been hospitalised yesterday, official sources said adding the condition of the agitators was being constantly monitored.

The hunger strike led by OPYC president and MP Pradeep Majhi in the state capital entered its fourth day today as the state government remained silent on their demand.

"Relay hunger strike will start at district level from tomorrow as the government is yet to respond to our demands," Majhi told PTI adding the agitation could be extended up to blocks and panchayats  if the government fails to announce loan waiver upto Rs50,000 for small and marginal farmers.

Besides demanding loan waiver, OPYC had launched its hunger strike on December 30 seeking enhancement of compensation for the affected farmers, inclusion of seven coastal districts in the list of affected areas, crop insurance to peasants and other benefits.