Tensions rise as Premanand’s fast against Bhutani enters day 9

SANCOALE: Tension prevailed in Sancoale, as ex sarpanch Premanand Naik’s health deteriorated, as his hunger strike entered the 9^th day on Tuesday. His blood pressure continues to be high and he cannot talk. Naik continues to insist that he will not withdraw the indefinite hunger strike till the permissions to Bhutani Infra are withdrawn, even as his supporters urged him that the issue has been highlighted enough.

Premanand Naik cannot get up and neither can he speak with ease. The South Goa District hospital has been kept on alert in case of any emergency. A few supporters sat with Premanand Naik including Laura Gracias, Ex Sarpanch of Velsao, Peter D’Souza and others. Premanand’s wife Ujwala could not be with him on Tuesday, since she went to pay respects to her cousin who passed away.

Peter D’Souza, explaining his health condition told media, “Today is the ninth day of Premanand’s fast. I talked to him in the morning. We called the doctor and a medical check up was done. His Blood Pressure is rising and his glucose levels have gone down. If this balance is not okay, it can have other complications.”

Regarding his supporters pleading with him to give up the fast, now that the issue has been highlighted enough, Peter D’Souza said, “We have urged him to give up the fast, but he is insistent that the permissions should be withdrawn to Bhutani Infra. He loves Goa and he wants that these permissions me. We will keep on urging him.”  

Expressing hope that the permissions given to Bhutani Infra will be scrapped, D’Souza said, “We are sure after some many people converging on Sancoale and participating in the protest and supporting Premanand Naik, we are sure that the Government will listen to us. We have requested the South Goa District  Hospital to be on alert and requested doctors to come here and keep a check on his health.”