A hunger-strike protester climbed onto the roof of Pauri District Hospital on Monday, intensifying a campaign for 5 demands, including a sub-district hospital and sub-tehsil in Pabau. Ganesh Bhatt remained on the roof for about 5 hours before police persuaded him to come down.

The incident created concern among the police and administration. Bhatt climbed to the roof after alleging that officials and elected representatives had ignored the protesters and that no action had been taken on their demands.

Protest began on 27 October

Bhatt and Dilbar Negi began a sit-in near the district collectorate on 27 October over problems affecting the area. They started a hunger strike on 2 November after, according to the report, the administration did not hold talks with them or act on their demands.

The administration later admitted Bhatt to the district hospital against his wishes, citing a decline in his health. He then remained on the hospital roof throughout the day on Monday to press his demands.

Police and Srinagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nupur Verma reached the hospital after receiving information that Bhatt had climbed onto the roof at about 11:00 in the morning. MLA Rajkumar Pori also arrived and tried to persuade him to leave the roof.

Pori discussed the situation with the SDM and the hospital’s PMS. He said he had not been informed about Bhatt’s demands and that the protester should have submitted a memorandum to him if a sit-in had been organised. Pori added that he would have brought the demands to the government’s attention.

Police continued efforts to persuade Bhatt. He eventually came down from the roof at about 4:00 in the afternoon. The report does not state that the administration accepted any of the 5 demands.

Conclusion

The protest over 5 demands, including calls for a sub-district hospital and sub-tehsil in Pabau, escalated when Ganesh Bhatt climbed onto the district hospital roof. Police brought him down after about 5 hours, while the status of the demands remained unresolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What did Ganesh Bhatt do on Monday?

Bhatt climbed onto the roof of Pauri District Hospital and remained there for about 5 hours.

Q. What are the protesters demanding?

Their 5-point demands include establishing a sub-district hospital and a sub-tehsil in Pabau.

Q. When did the protest begin?

Ganesh Bhatt and Dilbar Negi began their sit-in near the district collectorate on 27 October.

Q. When did the hunger strike start?

The hunger strike began on 2 November.

Q. Who reached the hospital during the incident?

Srinagar SDM Nupur Verma, police and MLA Rajkumar Pori reached the hospital or took part in efforts to resolve the situation.