Fasting BJP leader referred to hospital

BIKANER\JAIPUR: BJP MLA Devi Singh Bhati was referred to Government PBM Hospital at Bikaner for check-up on the third day of his indefinite hunger-strike. On Thursday, Bhati, who according to his doctor has lost four kg and whose sugar levels have gone down to 71, complained of stomach pain.
Bhati, along with hundreds of farmers, is agitating at Kolayat against the old land acquisition law demanding an amendment at the earliest.
"My demand is the same as what Rahul Gandhi is demanding in UP. However, the Congress government in the state is not looking into it. Why can't this state have a land acquisition act on the lines of the one in Haryana, which has been termed model,'' said Bhati on Thursday.
Bikaner MP Arjun Meghwal on Thursday met Bhati and supported the demands raised by him. Congress leader and Bikaner mayor Bhawani Shankar Sharma also met Bhati and requested him to stop his agitation and fast-unto-death. Sharma said the state government has already informed Bhati that decision on the issues raised by him will be taken by the end of this month.
Earlier, there was a call for statewide' chakka jam' and "maha padav" at Bikaner, but after having dialogues with the district collector Prithvi Raj and SP Habib Khan, Bhati changed his decision. Despite this, supporters and BJP worker on Thursday blocked national highways running from Bikaner for two hours which resulted in dislocation of traffic. MLA O P Mahendra also supported Bhati and his supporters jammed the highway between Gharsana and Anupgarh. CPM MLA Pawan Duggal came to support Bhati and said the demands are genuine for the welfare of farmers.
Meanwhile, farmers and supporters of Bhati are continuously pouring in for the "maha padav" on Thursday. Fifty-one supporters of Bhati on Thursday started fast-unto-death with him. Considering the tense situation, particularly after deterioration in Bhati's health, the district administration is keeping close watch on the situation. Large number of police, RAC and riot-control force have been deployed in Kolayat to maintain law and order.