135 agitators held for attempting self-immolation in protest

Around 135 agitators of the Rashtriya Janhitavadi Yuwa Samiti and Aheri Zilla Nirman Kriti Samiti were detained by the police today, for attempting self-immolation and trying to hang themselves in protest against the administration's indifference to their demands.
They were released later, after a case under Section 68 of the Bombay Police Act was registered against them, police said.
Since December 4, the two organisations had launched an indefinite hunger strike at the collectorate and Indira Square, demanding immediate issuance of forest land holdings, besides other demands.
They had also staged a road blockade agitation to get the attention of the administration during their hunger strike on December 5 and had warned that they would commit self-immolation and hang themselves if the administration did not take any action.

Accordingly, the agitators had collected ropes and kerosene for immolating and hanging themselves.
As soon as the police received the information, the agitators were detained and taken to the police station.
Meanwhile, seven agitators have been admitted to the general hospital here after their health deteriorated last night even as hundreds of tribals and other agitators observed an indefinite hunger strike demanding immediate issuance of forest land holdings, besides other demands.
Leader of the agitation Suresh Barsagade said that the protest would continue until all their demands are met.