Medha Patkar removed by police from fasting site in Madhya Pradesh

Patkar and a few other members of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) have been on a fast for the past 12 days in Chidhalda village in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

The NBA activists have been seeking proper rehabilitation for the project-affected villagers following the closure of the gates of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, media reported.

Meanwhile Medha Patkar's condition deteriorated. Even Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan had tweeted on Monday, " Doctors advised immediate medical attention for @medhanarmada ji & her colleagues due to high ketone & sugar posing threat to their lives."

Late on Monday, according to local media, the state police forcibly removed Patkar from the site but did not disturb the other 11 people fasting with her.

NDTV quoted NBA activist Madhuresh Kumar as saying  "Police broke the stage, chairs, pandals before taking Patkar into their custody. It is shameful that they never chose to hold dialogue with us in last 12 days but used force to stop our non- violent protest. Many have suffered physical injury."

NBA activists alleged that nearly 2,000 police personnel arrived on the spot to remove Medha Patkar and lathi-charged the activists who protested against the action, media reported.

On Tuesday, talking to HT, Patkar said that she will not break her fast until officials assure that they will rehabilitate those displaced by Sardar Sarovar Dam.

NBA activists, on Tuesday, alleged they were not being allowed to meet Patkar who, according to sources, have been taken to a hospital, media reported.

Image: Medha Patkar/Twitter