Undertrial prisoners call off hunger strike

Ten undertrial prisoners booked for Maoist-related activities called off their three-day long hunger strike in the special sub jail at Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district after the administration promised to look into their grievances.
Local tehsildar, jail authorities and police officers held discussion with the striking undertrials in the prison on their demands and they called off their fast yesterday after being assured of necessary steps, DIG (prisons), Berhampur, G B Mallick said.
"The jail inmates are now taking food after calling off the agitation," jail superintendent U K Mohapatra said.
All the 10 persons, including three women, were on hunger strike since Wednesday with a three-point charter of demands including speedy trial of their cases, steps to get them bail and exclusion of witnesses who fail to attend court for a long time.

The striking inmates were booked in connection with Maoist-related activities in Ganjam, Kandhamal, Rayagada and Nayagarh districts and lodged in the jail for a period ranging from four to two years.
Most of these inmates had been shifted from circle jail Berhampur to Bhanjangar recently.
The trial of the cases were delayed as witnessed had not turned up in the court. Around 8 to 12 cases were pending against each of them in different courts.