ABKS' fifth indefinite hunger strike enters second day

Mangalore, April 3: The fifth indefinite hunger strike launched by Akhila Bharatiya Karmika Sangha (ABKS) in the city demanding the better facilities at ESI Hospital in the city has entered its second day on Thursday.

Led by Sudatta Jain, the members of ABKS demanding the government to upgrade basic facilities for ESI Hospital which caters to the working class, staged an indefinite hunger strike for the first time on March 9, 2009.

When their demands received no response, Sudatta Jain staged a 54- hour long fast- unto – death agitation. The agitation was withdrawn when the then ESI director responding to the agitation, demanded a month's time to implement the demands. When the director failed to keep his word, Jain undertook a 10 km walk and staged a 60 hour fast unto death agitation on December 15, 2010.

The ESI director forced to act partially, implemented some of the demands and ignored other main demands which greatly affected the quality of health care delivered at ESI hospital. Jain, urging the government to implement the remaining demands submitted in 2009 went on an indefinite hunger strike from October 18, 2011 to October 22, 2011. The ESI director inaugurated some facilities and promised to implement all demands, Jain said.

However, the ESI director failed yet again to keep his word, forcing Jain to launch another indefinite hunger strike for the fifth time. When his memorandum presented to the ESI Director and elected representatives received no response on implementing other demands, Jain launched his indefinite hunger strike with a couple of supporters and labour leader G M Gadker from Mysore.

Sudatta Jain clarified that there were no new demands but the old demands submitted since 2009 on upgrading basic infrastructure at ESI Hospital, established in 1979, were still pending with the government. If the ESI director cannot implement the demands, the government must intervene, urged Jain staging a protest in front of DC's Office.