5 fasting YC members taken to hospital

The commissionerate police shifted the five fasting YC activists to hospital as they refused to take food and water for the fifth day, OPYC President Pradeep Majhi, who was leading the hunger strike here, said.

"Tomorrow, activists in the rest five districts will also start relay hunger strike in their respective district headquarters and then the agitation will be extended to block level," a determined Majhi said adding that Congress high command had proper backing behind their agitation.

Besides loan waiver, the party was demanding compensation for the affected farmers, inclusion of seven coastal districts in the list of affected areas, crop insurance to peasants and other benefits.

About 20 YC activists led by Majhi began hunger strike before the state secretariat on December 30 while the state government was yet to respond the issue.