Medha Patkar ends hunger strike after govt accepts demands

MUMBAI: Social activist Medha Patkar today ended her nine-day-fast after the Maharashtra government agreed to her demands related to slum-dwellers and rehabilitation projects.

"Medha ended her fast at 1.45 pm. The government of Maharashtra issued a notification accepting all her demands. Mumbai Suburban District Collector Nirmal Deshmukh came up with the notification (to the fast site)," Madhuresh Kumar, Patkar's associate, said.

The 56-year-old was on a hunger strike since May 20 in Golibar slum area in suburban Khar, where 140 acre of land has been handed over to a private builder. She was protesting the eviction of people from slums in Golibar.

She claimed signatures of slum-dwellers were forged on letters of consent given for a proposed slum rehabilitation project (SRA). Patkar demanded halt to demolitions of shanties till two government-appointed committees submit their reports.

Patkar's other demand was to constitute an independent inquiry committee to look into SRA projects where conflict has arisen between people concerned and government authorities.

The state has appointed two panels, comprising government and civil society representatives, to look into the issues raised by Patkar, Kumar said.

"It is a victory of the lakhs of people fighting for their right to live in the financial capital with dignity. The real fight is about the right over land of the poor who make this city what it is. Today the land is being given or grabbed by the builders and influential people," Patkar said after ending her hunger strike.