Odisha Congress vice-president Pradeep Majhi ends six-day fast

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress vice-president Pradeep Majhi and other party leaders today ended their six-day hunger strike after submitting a memorandum to Governor S C Jamir and announced to intensify its stir against the government's "anti-tribal" atittude.

Majhi and five others were on a hunger strike in front of Raj Bhavan here demanding compensation for the families of children who had died due to Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district.

They also demanded appointment of doctors in all 55 vacant posts in the tribal-dominated district.

"The government gave Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia to victims of a fire incident in Bhubaneswar, while the amount of compensation for tribal families was only Rs 3 lakh," Majhi said criticising the state government.

The OPCC vice president also demanded stringent action against security personnel who had gunned down five innocent tribals and dalits including a child at Gumudumaha in Kandhamal district.

"We will intensify our stir over the issues," Majhi said.

OPCC president Prasad Harichandan, who accompanied Majhi to Raj Bhavan said the party would fight for the rights of tribal people.