Maoist leader Azad shifted to SCBMCH in Odisha’s Cuttack

Maoist leader D Keshav Rao alias Azad, who was admitted to Capital Hospital here yesterday, was today shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Odisha’s Cuttack. He was on a fast for the past eleven days in the special jail here following which he was admitted to the Capital Hospital here yesterday as his health condition deteriorated.
Azad and four others, who are on indefinite hunger strike, were admitted to the government-run referral hospital here yesterday.
The Maoist leader is lodged in Jharpada Special Jail since 2011 and it is the fourth fast inside the jail in the past five years. He is on a hunger strike since March 30 demanding fulfillment of five-point charter of demand including a speedy trial, regular production in court in connection with cases against them and status of political prisoner.

On April 3, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) had directed the Prisons Directorate, Home department and DGP to take steps to end the strike by under trial prisoners (UTPs) following which ADG (prisons) Arun Kumar Ray had visited the Jharpada jail and tried to convince the UTPs to end their hunger strike.