Berhampur: Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who was on fast for the last seven days in the circle jail here, was today admitted to MKCG Medical College Hospital as his health condition deteriorated.
"As per the advice of the doctor, we shifted him to the hospital after failing to convince him to take food," said R N Roul, jailor of Berhampur circle jail.
"As he was on fast, we apprehended that Panda might develop dehydration. Therefore, the prison authority decided to shift him to the hospital. His blood pressure level had also declined," said a doctor who attended the Maoist leader at the hospital.
Panda, the 47-year-old founder leader of Odisha Maobadi Party (OMP) had launched an indefinite hunger strike from July 15 demanding to know the number of cases pending against him, speedy trial of his cases and his regular production in the court during hearings.
"I will continue to fast till the demands are fulfilled," Panda said at the hospital.
This is the third time since his arrest on July 18, 2014, that the Maoist leader launched a hunger strike in the jail.
He had launched his first hunger strike from March 31 to April 4 and the second in last week of April this year.