DM asks youths on fast to get medical aid - MLAs' intervention sought

TT, Calcutta, July 28: The Darjeeling district magistrate today serves notices on fasting Gorkhaland agitators, asking them to avail themselves of medical aid and warning that those prevented the hospitalisation would be booked for abetment to suicide and murder.

Joyoshi Das Gupta also issued notices to Darjeeling and Kurseong MLAs for their "personal intervention" to shift nine fasting Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha supporters to hospital.

Three Yuva Morcha members each had launched hunger strikes in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Mirik on July 21 to mount pressure on the Centre to launch a dialogue on Gorkhaland. Another three Yuva Morcha members launched the "fast unto-death" in Kalimpong on the same day.

"You are requested to kindly avail medical aid as will be advised by the medical officers. You are to inform us or persons around you in case you feel any weakness or dizziness..," reads the notice sent by Das Gupta to the agitators on fast at three places in Darjeeling district.

The notice also say "all concerned may note as per Indian law, any person who directly or indirectly tries to prevent government authorities from providing medical assistance to persons on fast including removal to hospitals when required, may be liable for punishment for abetment to suicide and abetment to murder".

In her notice to Darjeeling and Kurseong legislators, Amar Singh Rai and Rohit Sharma, Das Gupta said: "You are requested to kindly monitor the health conditions of people on fast at Darjeeling, Kurseong and Mirik. Your personal intervention is requested to shift them to hospital..."

The notices, observers have said, show that the administration will act on the recommendation of the medical officers who have been deputed to the venues of the fast and if required, will hospitalise them.

Asked about the notices, Prakash Gurung, the Yuva Morcha president, said: "They have started the indefinite hunger strike on their own will. If they need medical assistance, they can do so at their own will. But the manner in which the administration made some communications today is unfortunate. The movement will continue until our demand is achieved."