Social Activist Sol Dodum suspends fast

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Social activist Sol Dodum has said that he will be discontinuing his ongoing hunger strike for a few days until his health recovers. However, he also informed that the sit-in dharna will continue until his demands are accepted in written form by the State Government.

Dodum, who was earlier on the day shifted to TRIHMS following health issues, came back to the IG Park to continue his protest against the PHE department and officials of Seppa.

Speaking to the reporters on Friday, Dodum informed that he is suffering from ulcer due to non-consumption of food during the three-day-long hunger strike. Accordingly, the doctors have advised him to break the hunger strike and consume food till his health recovers from the ulcer.

Dodum said that he will be visiting the hospital every regular day to ensure that the ulcer is fine. "And once it is all good, I will continue the hunger strike," he added.

"I have come to know through various media channels that few demands have been accepted by the State Government. However, unless I am provided in writing to fulfil the entire charter of demands, the protest will continue," he said, adding that he is not accepting the verbal assurance of the Government.

He also clarified that he never said the people of Taku village in Seppa are the reason why the river water in Macha river area is polluted. He just meant to say that the water from the area is not good enough for the people in the lower areas to consume as it is being polluted because of various reasons.

A few Seppa-based news channels are wrongly interpreting his words, he added.

Dodum was on Thursday shifted to the RKM Hospital for a health check-up following the direction of a doctor.

Though the activist initially refused any medical assistance, he was later convinced by his colleagues and taken to hospital for further treatment.

While the primary demand of Dodum for potable water supply in Seppa township has been addressed by the department, his demands also include an SIT investigation into corruption in the PHE&WS department, illegal job appointment in the department by in-charge executive engineer (EE) Bharat Sonam of his kith and kin, transfer of the incumbent District Deputy Commissioner and posting of a permanent EE in the department.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Dr Tassar Tania said that as per the clinical observation, Dodum is in need of medical attendance. He said Dodum has remained without food and water intake for more than 24 hours, which has led to high blood pressure whereas it should actually have been the reverse.

He said due to high blood pressure, the body has gained the risk of stroke. Therefore, he needs immediate medical assistance and remain under observation for two hours.

"If he remains under the observation of doctors, there is an absolute chance that he recovers from the health issues. Else, the activist will face serious health issues," he said, adding that he has referred Dodum to TRIHMS or RKM Hospital.

Earlier today, Capital Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom in an order has directed the District Medical Officer (DMO) to depute a medical team to monitor the health of Dodum periodically. He even directed the EAC to monitor the law-and-order situation in the area.

Meanwhile, PHE & WS Minister Wangki Lowang has appealed to the social activist Sol Dodum to put an end to his ongoing hunger strike, stating that the department has accepted his demand for potable water supply in Seppa township.

Addressing mediapersons at Civil Secretariat conference hall here on Thursday, Lowang said that his department has already assured to provide potable water to the public in the district headquarter of East Kameng, Seppa.

He said that due to accumulation of excess sand and various other reasons in the water supply point, there was turbidity in water. The WTP which was supposed to be completed a year before was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, now the new pre-sedimentation tank is being installed to provide potable water in the town.

While appealing Dodum to end the hunger strike, Lowang also assured that the department is working on resolving the water problem at the earliest. He said that such a task can't be accomplished overnight, therefore, appealed to wait till the deadline of work completion. He also said that the department is ready to talk with Dodum on any other issues related to water supply in the town.

He also informed that a state level independent committee of higher officials has been set up to investigate the entire matter, including alleged corruption in the department.

"Therefore, once the final report is out, the department will take action according to it," he added.

Responding to the demand of permanent EE in the department, Lowang clarified that the present EE is holding a permanent post and not a temporary one.

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