 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Hunger-strike on starvation issue:Rajasthan Minister of State for Khadi and Village Industries Golma Devi (second from right) began a fast on Tuesday in protest against alleged government apathy to the problems of Adivasis. JAIPUR: Rajasthan Minister of State for Khadi and Villages Industries Golma Devi started a “fast-unto-death” here on Tuesday protesting against the “apathy” of her own government to the demands raised by her husband Kirorilal Meena, MP from Dausa. Both Ms. Golma Devi and Dr. Meena have been sitting in dharna at the same spot near the Civil Lines rail crossing since last Thursday. Women workers of the National Rural Health Mission who were allegedly manhandled by the police during a demonstration the previous day, joined Ms. Golma Devi in fast on Tuesday. Attempts at talks After two attempts at negotiations — through talks with the protesting couple on the first night of the dharna and again on Sunday — by Energy Minster Jitendra Singh and Tourism Minister Bina Kak, no further move was made by the government. Before commencing fast, Ms. Golma Devi wrote to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, pointing out that she and her husband had been waiting for a response and “there was no word from him.” The letter said the Ministers had given the impression that their [the couple's] demands were acceptable and the government would soon approach them but this did not happen. “As there has been no response from you, I am starting a hunger strike.” The resignation letter of Ms. Golma Devi, an Independent MLA, has reportedly been pending with Congress president Sonia Gandhi since November 2009 though no one in the State has confirmed the existence of such a letter. Two days ago Ms. Golma Devi returned her official car. The initial provocation for Dr. Meena's protest was his arrest and removal from Udaipur town last week by the district administration. Dr. Meena, who was carrying two truckloads of wheat flour for distribution among Adivasis there, has alleged starvation deaths in the area. “In predicament” “The government is willing to accept the rest of the demands except the one for a solatium of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of those who died of hunger. The government seems to be in a predicament. If it agrees to pay, it would be accepting that starvation deaths took place,” Dr. Meena told The Hindu at the dharna venue.
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