T S Deo joins cong sit-in, warns of hunger strike

Raipur: The ongoing Congress protest outside Vishrampur police station intensified on Tuesday after veteran Congress functionary and former deputy CM T S Singh Deo warned of a hunger strike if the Surajpur police administration does not act on the party’s demands by 6 pm.

Singh Deo said he already observes a fast on Tuesdays until sunset and added that if no action is taken by sunset, he will begin an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site. He said the decision was prompted by what he described as the administration’s “stubborn attitude.”

The protest began on May 25 when Chhattisgarh Congress state president Deepak Baij, along with Surajpur district Congress office-bearers, reached Vishrampur police station demanding withdrawal of action taken under the Arms Act against Surajpur district Congress vice president Narendra Jain. The case is linked to a dispute during the Shivnandanpur Nagar Panchayat election process.

After police did not accept the demand, Congress leaders and workers, including Baij, began an indefinite sit-in outside the police station. The party has also alleged that despite repeated requests, police have not registered an FIR against BJP workers and office-bearers accused of going to Jain’s house and creating a dispute.

Singh Deo remained at the protest site with Baij until 2:30 am and returned again at around 11 am on Tuesday, continuing the sit-in. Congress leaders said that if there is no response from the administration, Singh Deo and Baij will start a hunger strike from 6 pm.