Haridwar: Matri Sadan chief Swami Shivanand who had been fasting for 48 days against illegal mining in the Ganga here, agreed to drink ORS laced water after the intervention by the district authorities.
The Swami had went without water for the past three days to intensify his protest against the use of heavy machines in the riverbed.
He agreed to take Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) laced water past midnight yesterday when Haridwar District Magistrate HC Semwal requested him to take water in view of his deteriorating health and give at least two days' time to the administration to resolve the matter.
However, Shivanand asserted his fast will continue till a permanent solution to the issue is found.
"The administration has become insensitive as far as illegal mining is concerned. To favour the mining mafia, the state government is mercilessly tearing the heart of the Ganga with heavy equipment," he said.
The District Magistrate gave assurance that heavy machines like JCBs and Pokland will be withdrawn from the river bed within two days and a solution will be worked out.
Shivanand said that he would re-intensify his fast if the administration falters on its promise.
Doctors had expressed concern over Shivanand's deteriorating health.
When asked why he was not agreeing for a medical check-up, Shivanand said he did not want to be examined in the hospital where Swami Nigmanand, who stood for the same cause, was "killed".
