Patkar doing well at AIIMS: Doctors

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was convalescing at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is responding positively to medical treatment today.

Ms Patkar, who had been on indefinite hunger strike since March 29 at Jantar Mantar here, was forcibly and taken to the AIIMS late night yesterday as her condition was worsening.

Doctors at the hospital said she has been put under observation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

More than 500 ml of water with lemon and salt had been administered to the ailing leader, they said, adding that all her vital organs were functioning normally.

Sources said Ms Patkar, after gaining some 'strength' refused to take the intranvenous drip.

Meanwhile, 27 activists of the NBA, on strike since March 17, have been arrested on charges of rioting and obstructing government servant from performing duty, according to the police.

However, Ms Patkar's removal from the 'site' hasn't deterred activists from continuing with the strike. Several of them today sat on hunger strike at the same 'site'.

They were later joined by students and leaders from the Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University including its President Mona Das, Vice-President Dhananjay Tripathi and Students' Union member Avdhesh.

Among others who joined the 'dharna' were JNU Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy and NBA activists from other cities.

Yesterday, in a late night development, the police swooped on some 250 NBA activists and detained them amidst strong protests.

NBA leader Medha Patkar and three of her colleagues, who were on hunger strike for the last eight days over the issue of raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, were taken to AIIMS.

UNI AN ARB KP1524