Activist Medha Patkar breaks 17-day long fast in Dhar jail

Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar broke her 17-day long fast in the Dhar jail after drinking lemonade on Saturday.

Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Parik, former West Bengal MP Hanan Mola, National Federation of Indian Women's Annie Raja, Agriculture Mukti Sangram Samiti' member Akhil Gogoi, former legislator Sunil Sunilam, senior journalist Chinmaya Mishra, Pramod Bagdi, Saroj Mishra, Meera etc. were present when she broke the fast.

Patkar was arrested on Wednesday while on her way to Dhar after being discharged from Indore's Bombay Hospital.

The police arrested Patkar as they suspected that she would again sit on hunger strike.

Patkar was on indefinite strike since July 27 to demand proper rehabilitation of Sardar Sarovar Dam project oustees.

The police have booked Patkar under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As per the press note, Patkar, despite clear orders by the Supreme Court, has been trying to disrupt the law and order situation in and around the Sardar Sarovar Dam area.

Patkar is the founder of the Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is a social movement consisting of adivasis, farmers, environmentalists and human rights activists against the number of large dams being built across the Narmada River, which flows through the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, all over India.

Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat is one of the biggest dams on the river and was one of the first focal points of the movement. It is one of the many dams under the Narmada Dam Project.