Maoist leader D. Kesav Rao alias Azad and two of his associates, who ended their three-week-long fast at SCB medical college and hospital (SCBMCH) here on Wednesday, will be discharged from the Hospital on Thursday.
“Since the patients were given adequate glucose fluid and there were no signs of malnutrition or starvation, the patients will be discharged from the Hospital soon as they have resumed oral feeding,” said Prof C.B.K. Mohanty, who was treating Azad and his associates in the hospital here.
Arrested five years ago by the Odisha Police in connection with at least 12 criminal cases, Azad was lodged in the Jharpada jail at Bhubaneswar. During these days, he had resorted to indefinite fast on four occasions, including the one that began on March 30 demanding speedy trial, regular production in courts and status of a political prisoner. When his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on April 9 and on the following day, was referred here.
In the meantime, the State Human Rights Commission had directed the State government to take measures so that the prisoners end their fast. ADG (Prisons) Arun Kumar Ray had met Azad and his associates in the first week of April explaining them about the procedures as to how to redress their grievances. A delegate of the civil society, headed by freedom fighter Bhabani Charan Patnaik, also wanted to intervene but was not allowed.
