Medha Patkar's health deteriorates on ninth day of indefinite fast

Narmada Bachao Andolan's leader Medha Patkar suffered dehydration and low blood pressure on the ninth day of her indefinite strike. She is demanding better relocation of the families in Madhya Pradesh which are being affected by the recent developments in Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat.

Medha Patkar/ File Image

New Delhi: Narmada Bachao Andolan's top activist Medha Patkar's health deteriorated on the ninth day of her indefinite fast in Chikhalda village of Madhya Pradesh. According to the doctors attending her, Medha underwent dehydration and a decrease in her blood pressure. Refusing to take medicines, Medha is still continuing her fast. Medha is on an  indefinite fast since July 27, demanding better relocation of the families in Madhya Pradesh, which are being affected by  the increase in the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. These families are being dislocated from their villages. According to reports, raising the height of the dam is putting 40,000 families in Madhya Pradesh at the risk of submergence. The Madhya Pradesh government had asked these families to vacate their places by July 31. Medha had earlier expressed her dissatisfaction at the "tin-shed" arrangement being provided by the government on the name of relocation, which according to her is not enough to provide shelter to the villagers and their domestic animals. Friday was the ninth day of her continuous fast. 11 others who are fasting with her include the members of the families being dislocated and activists of Narmada Bachao Andolan.