Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has said he will began ending his hunger strike that he began on March 31. But Navalny insisted that he would maintain his key demand for a visit from his own doctor.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says he will end hunger strike

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's doctors have asked him to end his hunger strike as soon as possible. In a statement Navalny's doctors said that he might die if he does not end his strike. He is on hunger strike since March 31.

Doctors ask Alexei Navalny to end hunger strike

<p class="MsoNormal">Russian opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/alexei-navalny">Alexei Navalny</a> has announced a stop to his hunger strike that he had been carrying out in the prison.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"As Alice from "Wonderland" said: here you have to run to stay put. And to get somewhere, you have to run twice as fast," his post on Instagram read.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"I ran, tried, fell, went on a hunger strike, but all the same, without your help, I just broke my forehead."</p>

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<p>He thanked his supporters and hailed about making 'progress' in the past few months. "With the tremendous support of good people across the country and around the world, we have made tremendous progress," he said.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The announcement has come after doctors advised the Kremlin critic to end his hunger strike as soon as possible, warning he might die if he does not start consuming food and drinks.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/doctors-ask-alexei-navalny-to-end-hunger-strike-379435"><strong>Watch |</strong></a></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/doctors-ask-alexei-navalny-to-end-hunger-strike-379435/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>A few days ago, four independent UN experts had also raised concerns about Navalny’s health and urged "for urgent medical treatment abroad" for Navalny. He had been&nbsp;on a hunger strike since March 31.</p>

<p>"We are deeply troubled that Mr Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the experts added.</p>

<p>The experts were appointed by the United Nations but do not speak on behalf of the organisation.&nbsp;</p>


Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has announced a stop to his hunger strike that he had been carrying out in the prison. "As Alice from "Wonderland" said: here you have to run to stay put.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has announced a stop to his hunger strike that he had been carrying out in the prison. "As Alice from "Wonderland" said: here you have to run to stay put. And to get somewhere, you have to run twice as fast," his post on Instagram read. "I ran, tried, fell, went on a hunger strike, but all the same, without your help, I just broke my forehead." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) × He thanked his supporters and hailed about making 'progress' in the past few months. "With the tremendous support of good people across the country and around the world, we have made tremendous progress," he said. The announcement has come after doctors advised the Kremlin critic to end his hunger strike as soon as possible, warning he might die if he does not start consuming food and drinks. Watch | A few days ago, four independent UN experts had also raised concerns about Navalny’s health and urged "for urgent medical treatment abroad" for Navalny. He had been on a hunger strike since March 31. "We are deeply troubled that Mr Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the experts added. The experts were appointed by the United Nations but do not speak on behalf of the organisation.

Alexei Navalny announces plans to end his hunger strike

<p>Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care.</p>

<p>Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-in-strong-pain-allies-fear-for-his-life-373158"><strong>Also read: Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life</strong></a><br />
<br />
Navalny, 44, began refusing food on Wednesday to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. He had already lost eight kilograms (18 pounds) in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms, his supporters said.</p>

<p>In a post on his Instagram Monday, Navalny reported new ailments.</p>

<p>"I am quoting the official data from today's temperature measurement: 'Navalny A.A., strong cough, temperature 38.1'," he wrote, referring to degrees Celsius, or 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>

<p>"P.S. I am continuing my hunger strike, of course," Navalny said.</p>

<p>Later the pro-Kremlin Izvestia daily said that Navalny had been transferred to a medical unit for observation, with "signs of a respiratory problem, notably a high fever".</p>

<p>All the necessary tests were carried out, including a coronavirus test, the paper said, citing prison services.</p>

<p>There was no confirmation of such a transfer from the Navalny camp.</p>

<p>The opposition politician is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence on old fraud charges, in a penal colony in the town of Pokrov some 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Moscow known for its harsh discipline.</p>

<p><strong>Doctors' protest</strong></p>

<p>His latest statement from the colony comes after pro-Kremlin media on Friday launched an offensive aiming to disprove his complaints of mistreatment and lack of medical attention.</p>

<p>Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets described Navalny as looking "quite normal" and saying he is incarcerated in a colony that is "practically exemplary".</p>

<p>In his post-Monday, Navalny said the reports had "not a single word of truth".</p>

<p>As evidence, he wrote that a third person out of the 15 inmates in his unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis since his arrival at the penal colony in February.</p>

<p>"I am surprised that there is no Ebola virus here," he quipped, adding: "such is our 'ideal, exemplary colony'."</p>

<p>Navalny was arrested on his return to Russia in January, after spending months in Germany recovering from a poisoning last summer that he blames on the Kremlin.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Navalny, who is considered a flight risk by authorities, filed two complaints against prison officials, saying he is woken eight times a night by guards announcing to a recording camera that he is still in his cell.</p>

<p>The Alliance of Doctors medical trade union said it would organise a protest outside the penal colony in Pokrov on Tuesday, demanding Navalny receive adequate medical treatment.</p>

<p>The group, which was branded a "foreign agent" by Russia's justice ministry last month, is headed by Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva.</p>

<p>"We are going there to understand what the hell is going on at this terrible colony," she wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care. Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care. Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment. Also read: Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life Navalny, 44, began refusing food on Wednesday to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. He had already lost eight kilograms (18 pounds) in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms, his supporters said. In a post on his Instagram Monday, Navalny reported new ailments. "I am quoting the official data from today's temperature measurement: 'Navalny A.A., strong cough, temperature 38.1'," he wrote, referring to degrees Celsius, or 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit. "P.S. I am continuing my hunger strike, of course," Navalny said. Later the pro-Kremlin Izvestia daily said that Navalny had been transferred to a medical unit for observation, with "signs of a respiratory problem, notably a high fever". All the necessary tests were carried out, including a coronavirus test, the paper said, citing prison services. There was no confirmation of such a transfer from the Navalny camp. The opposition politician is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence on old fraud charges, in a penal colony in the town of Pokrov some 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Moscow known for its harsh discipline. Doctors' protest His latest statement from the colony comes after pro-Kremlin media on Friday launched an offensive aiming to disprove his complaints of mistreatment and lack of medical attention. Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets described Navalny as looking "quite normal" and saying he is incarcerated in a colony that is "practically exemplary". In his post-Monday, Navalny said the reports had "not a single word of truth". As evidence, he wrote that a third person out of the 15 inmates in his unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis since his arrival at the penal colony in February. "I am surprised that there is no Ebola virus here," he quipped, adding: "such is our 'ideal, exemplary colony'." Navalny was arrested on his return to Russia in January, after spending months in Germany recovering from a poisoning last summer that he blames on the Kremlin. Earlier this month, Navalny, who is considered a flight risk by authorities, filed two complaints against prison officials, saying he is woken eight times a night by guards announcing to a recording camera that he is still in his cell. The Alliance of Doctors medical trade union said it would organise a protest outside the penal colony in Pokrov on Tuesday, demanding Navalny receive adequate medical treatment. The group, which was branded a "foreign agent" by Russia's justice ministry last month, is headed by Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva. "We are going there to understand what the hell is going on at this terrible colony," she wrote on Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny says continuing hunger strike despite cough and fever, risks death in prison

<p>A Turkish lawyer seeking a fair trial after being charged with membership of a terrorist organisation has died in an Istanbul hospital on the 238th day of her hunger strike.</p>

<p>Ebru Timtik weighed just 30 kilogrammes (65 pounds) at the time of her death late Thursday.</p>

<p>According to AFP, around 100 of Timtik's friends and supporters gathered on Friday as police tried to gain access to her body outside an Istanbul forensic lab. Police had to use teargas and pushed people away with anti-riot shields as a van drove her body away.</p>

<p>The Cumhuriyet daily reported that four people were detained.</p>

<p>The European Union said Timtik's death highlighted "serious shortcomings" of Turkey's justice system.</p>

<p>Timtik was a member of the Contemporary Lawyers' Association (CHD), a leftist group accused of having close ties to the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), a far-left Marxist organisation.</p>

<p>The DHKP-C has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 suicide bombing at the US embassy in Ankara, which killed a Turkish security guard.</p>

<p>In 2019, an Istanbul court handed multiple sentences to 18 lawyers, including Timtik, on charges of "forming and running a terror group" and "membership in a terror group."</p>

<p>Timtik, who had been initially detained in September 2018, was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison, which prompted her and some other lawyers to start a hunger strike in February.</p>

<p>She had been jailed in Silivri -- a huge court and prison complex on the outskirts of Istanbul.</p>

<p>Last October, an appeals court upheld the lawyers' jail sentences.</p>

<p>Timtik, who turned her hunger strike into a death fast together with another lawyer, Aytac Unsal, was moved from the prison to a hospital in July.</p>

<p>The pair were consuming only liquids and vitamins, and a forensic report showed at the time that their condition was "not suitable" for a continued stay in prison.</p>

<p>The body is expected to be buried by her mother in a cemetery nearby on Friday or Saturday.</p>


A Turkish lawyer seeking a fair trial after being charged with membership of a terrorist organisation has died in an Istanbul hospital on the 238th day of her hunger strike.

A Turkish lawyer seeking a fair trial after being charged with membership of a terrorist organisation has died in an Istanbul hospital on the 238th day of her hunger strike. Ebru Timtik weighed just 30 kilogrammes (65 pounds) at the time of her death late Thursday. According to AFP, around 100 of Timtik's friends and supporters gathered on Friday as police tried to gain access to her body outside an Istanbul forensic lab. Police had to use teargas and pushed people away with anti-riot shields as a van drove her body away. The Cumhuriyet daily reported that four people were detained. The European Union said Timtik's death highlighted "serious shortcomings" of Turkey's justice system. Timtik was a member of the Contemporary Lawyers' Association (CHD), a leftist group accused of having close ties to the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), a far-left Marxist organisation. The DHKP-C has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 suicide bombing at the US embassy in Ankara, which killed a Turkish security guard. In 2019, an Istanbul court handed multiple sentences to 18 lawyers, including Timtik, on charges of "forming and running a terror group" and "membership in a terror group." Timtik, who had been initially detained in September 2018, was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison, which prompted her and some other lawyers to start a hunger strike in February. She had been jailed in Silivri -- a huge court and prison complex on the outskirts of Istanbul. Last October, an appeals court upheld the lawyers' jail sentences. Timtik, who turned her hunger strike into a death fast together with another lawyer, Aytac Unsal, was moved from the prison to a hospital in July. The pair were consuming only liquids and vitamins, and a forensic report showed at the time that their condition was "not suitable" for a continued stay in prison. The body is expected to be buried by her mother in a cemetery nearby on Friday or Saturday.

Turkish lawyer dies after 238-day hunger strike

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nicaragua-unrest-mounts-as-government-opposition-talks-resume-147062">Nicaraguan government</a> said it freed more than 90 people on Monday&nbsp;who&nbsp;rights groups say were jailed for anti-government activity, including about a dozen people&nbsp;who&nbsp;were arrested after ferrying water to a group of&nbsp;mothers&nbsp;on&nbsp;hunger&nbsp;strike.</p>

<p>Dozens of people have been jailed since April 2018, after demonstrations against President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/daniel-ortega-wins-third-consecutive-term-as-nicaragua-president-8504">Daniel Ortega</a>'s attempt to cut welfare benefits escalated into broader protests of his rule.</p>

<p>The protests also left more than 300 people dead, according to rights groups.</p>

<p><img alt="Blue and White National Unity" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8f7d399-d26c-46e1-8ecd-9bb19f096dcf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_9.jpg" /></p>

<p>The interior ministry said 91 people have been released as part of a "special act" aimed at national reconciliation, including prominent student protester Amaya Coppens.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Nicaraguan and Belgian national, along with a dozen other&nbsp;protesters, delivered water last month to nine&nbsp;mothers&nbsp;who&nbsp;were on a&nbsp;hunger&nbsp;strike&nbsp;demanding the release of their children that they consider to be political prisoners.</p>

<p>The police cut off water and electricity supplies to the church in the city of Masaya soon after the&nbsp;hunger&nbsp;strike&nbsp;began. The&nbsp;mothers&nbsp;were later transported to a hospital.</p>

<p>During the&nbsp;strike, the government accused 13 activists&nbsp;who&nbsp;brought water to the&nbsp;mothers&nbsp;of planning to carry out terrorist attacks.</p>

<p>On Monday, a video posted on social media showed Coppens waving a large blue-and-white&nbsp;Nicaraguan flag, chanting, "Yes, we did it!"</p>

<p><img alt="Blue and White National Unity" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf9b9012-6ea7-430b-8406-33a8b320781a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_6.jpg" /></p>

<p>Another freed prisoner, Olga Valle, said in a separate video: "Families, take in your people. We left, we did it. Long live free&nbsp;Nicaragua."</p>

<p>The opposition Blue and White National Unity movement said about 80 people are still jailed for political reasons.</p>

<p>"We continue demanding the liberation of every single political prisoner," the grouping of opposition organizations said in a statement.</p>


The Nicaraguan government said it freed more than 90 people on Monday who rights groups say were jailed for anti-government activity, including about a dozen people who were arrested after ferrying water to a group of mothers on hunger strike.

The Nicaraguan government said it freed more than 90 people on Monday who rights groups say were jailed for anti-government activity, including about a dozen people who were arrested after ferrying water to a group of mothers on hunger strike. Dozens of people have been jailed since April 2018, after demonstrations against President Daniel Ortega's attempt to cut welfare benefits escalated into broader protests of his rule. The protests also left more than 300 people dead, according to rights groups. The interior ministry said 91 people have been released as part of a "special act" aimed at national reconciliation, including prominent student protester Amaya Coppens. The Nicaraguan and Belgian national, along with a dozen other protesters, delivered water last month to nine mothers who were on a hunger strike demanding the release of their children that they consider to be political prisoners. The police cut off water and electricity supplies to the church in the city of Masaya soon after the hunger strike began. The mothers were later transported to a hospital. During the strike, the government accused 13 activists who brought water to the mothers of planning to carry out terrorist attacks. On Monday, a video posted on social media showed Coppens waving a large blue-and-white Nicaraguan flag, chanting, "Yes, we did it!" Another freed prisoner, Olga Valle, said in a separate video: "Families, take in your people. We left, we did it. Long live free Nicaragua." The opposition Blue and White National Unity movement said about 80 people are still jailed for political reasons. "We continue demanding the liberation of every single political prisoner," the grouping of opposition organizations said in a statement.

Nicaragua frees protesters who aided mothers on hunger strike

<p>A British-Iranian mother being held in a Tehran prison on sedition charges has begun another hunger strike in protest at her detention, her husband said Saturday.</p>

<p>Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 40, is refusing food as she marks her daughter's fifth birthday, Richard Ratcliffe said in a statement.</p>

<p>His wife was arrested in April 2016 as she was leaving Iran after taking their infant daughter to visit her family. She was sentenced to five years for allegedly trying to topple the Iranian government.</p>

<p>"She had informed the judiciary that she has begun a new hunger strike (she will drink water) -- to protest at her continuing unfair imprisonment," he said.</p>

<p>"This is something she had been threatening for a while. Nazanin had vowed that if we passed Gabriella's fifth birthday with her still inside, then she would do something -- to mark to both governments -- that enough is enough. This really has gone on too long."</p>

<p>A project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the media group's philanthropic arm, she denies all charges.</p>

<p>She previously went on hunger strike in January.</p>

<p>"Her demand from the strike, she said, is for unconditional release. She has long been eligible for it," said Ratcliffe.</p>

<p>"I do not know the response from the Iranian authorities."</p>

<p>He urged the Iranian authorities to release her immediately, for the British embassy to be allowed to check on her health, and -- if she is not released within the coming weeks -- for him to be granted a visa to visit her.</p>

<p>He later stood outside the Iranian embassy in London and said he would maintain his own hunger strike and vigil outside for as long as his wife was refusing food.</p>

<p><strong>'Do the right thing'</strong></p>

<p>Last month, London changed its travel advice for British-Iranian dual nationals, warning them against all travel to Iran, citing Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case.</p>

<p>Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said his message to Tehran was: "Do the right thing, show the world your humanity and let this innocent woman home. Free Nazanin."</p>

<p>He added: "Whatever the disagreements you may have with the United Kingdom, there is an innocent woman at the heart of this."</p>

<p>Amnesty International UK's director Kate Allen said Zagari-Ratcliffe's plight was "truly heartbreaking".</p>

<p>"Nazanin is a prisoner of conscience, unfairly jailed after a sham trial and subjected to all manner of torments," she said.</p>

<p>"It's shocking that it's come to this."</p>


A British-Iranian mother being held in a Tehran prison on sedition charges has begun another hunger strike in protest at her detention, her husband said Saturday.

A British-Iranian mother being held in a Tehran prison on sedition charges has begun another hunger strike in protest at her detention, her husband said Saturday. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 40, is refusing food as she marks her daughter's fifth birthday, Richard Ratcliffe said in a statement. His wife was arrested in April 2016 as she was leaving Iran after taking their infant daughter to visit her family. She was sentenced to five years for allegedly trying to topple the Iranian government. "She had informed the judiciary that she has begun a new hunger strike (she will drink water) -- to protest at her continuing unfair imprisonment," he said. "This is something she had been threatening for a while. Nazanin had vowed that if we passed Gabriella's fifth birthday with her still inside, then she would do something -- to mark to both governments -- that enough is enough. This really has gone on too long." A project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the media group's philanthropic arm, she denies all charges. She previously went on hunger strike in January. "Her demand from the strike, she said, is for unconditional release. She has long been eligible for it," said Ratcliffe. "I do not know the response from the Iranian authorities." He urged the Iranian authorities to release her immediately, for the British embassy to be allowed to check on her health, and -- if she is not released within the coming weeks -- for him to be granted a visa to visit her. He later stood outside the Iranian embassy in London and said he would maintain his own hunger strike and vigil outside for as long as his wife was refusing food. 'Do the right thing' Last month, London changed its travel advice for British-Iranian dual nationals, warning them against all travel to Iran, citing Zaghari-Ratcliffe's case. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said his message to Tehran was: "Do the right thing, show the world your humanity and let this innocent woman home. Free Nazanin." He added: "Whatever the disagreements you may have with the United Kingdom, there is an innocent woman at the heart of this." Amnesty International UK's director Kate Allen said Zagari-Ratcliffe's plight was "truly heartbreaking". "Nazanin is a prisoner of conscience, unfairly jailed after a sham trial and subjected to all manner of torments," she said. "It's shocking that it's come to this."

British-Iranian begins fresh hunger strike in Tehran jail

<p>Jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called for Kurdish lawmakers and thousands of prisoners to end their hunger strike in a statement read by one of his lawyers on Sunday, 200 days after one MP launched the protest.</p>

<p>Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Leyla Guven began a hunger strike in November to try to end Ocalan's isolation in prison by securing him regular access to his family and lawyers.</p>

<p>"Comrades who have committed themselves to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-protest-in-support-for-turkey-hunger-strikes-against-prison-conditions-of-kurdish-militant-leader-194856"> hunger strikes </a>and death fasts, I expect you to end your protest," Ocalan said in a statement read out at a news conference in Istanbul, four days after his lawyers visited him in jail.</p>

<p>Ocalan is the founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. He has been held in an island prison since Turkish special forces captured him in Kenya in 1999.</p>

<p>His lawyers visited him at the start of this month for the first time in nearly eight years and were allowed to hold talks with him again on Wednesday. A statement was scheduled to be made on behalf of Leyla Guven at 1000 GMT.</p>

<p>Ankara's decision to allow the resumption of visits comes a month ahead of an election re-run in Istanbul and has led to speculation that it could be a step towards a new peace process, four years after government talks with Ocalan fell apart.</p>


Jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called for Kurdish lawmakers and thousands of prisoners to end their hunger strike in a statement read by one of his lawyers on Sunday, 200 days after one MP launched the protest.

Jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called for Kurdish lawmakers and thousands of prisoners to end their hunger strike in a statement read by one of his lawyers on Sunday, 200 days after one MP launched the protest. Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Leyla Guven began a hunger strike in November to try to end Ocalan's isolation in prison by securing him regular access to his family and lawyers. "Comrades who have committed themselves to hunger strikes and death fasts, I expect you to end your protest," Ocalan said in a statement read out at a news conference in Istanbul, four days after his lawyers visited him in jail. Ocalan is the founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. He has been held in an island prison since Turkish special forces captured him in Kenya in 1999. His lawyers visited him at the start of this month for the first time in nearly eight years and were allowed to hold talks with him again on Wednesday. A statement was scheduled to be made on behalf of Leyla Guven at 1000 GMT. Ankara's decision to allow the resumption of visits comes a month ahead of an election re-run in Istanbul and has led to speculation that it could be a step towards a new peace process, four years after government talks with Ocalan fell apart.

Jailed Kurdish militant leader calls for end to hunger strike

<p>Social activist Anna Hazare has announced that he would launch a hunger strike from Wednesday over the "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of Lokayukta Act in the state respectively.</p>

<p>In his letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, dated January 28, Hazare said he would launch the agitation in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Fadnavis Cabinet Tuesday decided to bring the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta.</p>

<p>Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, who has been acting as an emissary between the government and the activist, urged Hazare to cancel the agitation, claiming that almost all the demands made by the activist have been fulfilled.</p>

<p>Hazare, however, said he would not call off the agitation till the Lokayukta Act becomes a reality.</p>

<p>Apart from the appointment of Lokpal at the national level and Lokayukta in states, Hazare has been demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and some electoral reforms.</p>

<p>"It has been five years since the Lokpal Act was passed. Yet the Narendra Modi government has not appointed Lokpal...Lokayukta Act has not been passed in Maharashtra for four years," Hazare observed in his letter dated January 28.</p>

<p>The activist said the chief minister had mediated when he had launched the agitation at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in March last year.</p>

<p>Hazare said he had withdrawn that agitation after the central government had assured in writing that it would fulfil the demands.</p>

<p>"Nine months have passed, yet the demands have not been fulfilled. Hence, I will be on hunger strike in my village Ralegan Siddhi on January 30," Hazare said in the letter.</p>

<p>Mahajan urged Hazare not go ahead with the agitation saying almost all the demands he had raised were fulfilled.</p>

<p>"His first demand was implementing Swaminathan Commission recommendations, that farmers should get 1.5 times MSP. I think that demand has been fulfilled," Mahanjan told reporters here.</p>

<p>Speaking in Ahmednagar, Hazare welcomed the government's decision to set rolling the process to appoint Lokayukta.</p>

<p>"I thank them on behalf the people for taking the decision to the appointment of Lokayukta through the Constitutional process. But that does not mean I will not stage hunger strike tomorrow. The agitation will go on until the act is in place," Hazare added.</p>

<p>In Delhi, an eight-member search panel formed to select members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal Tuesday held its first meeting, nearly four months after it was set up by the Modi government.</p>

<p>The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is understood to have discussed modalities related to the appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal.&nbsp;</p>


Social activist Anna Hazare has announced that he would launch a hunger strike from Wednesday over the "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of Lokayukta Act in the state respectively.

Social activist Anna Hazare has announced that he would launch a hunger strike from Wednesday over the "non-fulfilment" of assurances by the Centre and the Maharashtra government on the appointment of Lokpal and passage of Lokayukta Act in the state respectively. In his letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, dated January 28, Hazare said he would launch the agitation in his village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the Fadnavis Cabinet Tuesday decided to bring the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister under the jurisdiction of Lokayukta. Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, who has been acting as an emissary between the government and the activist, urged Hazare to cancel the agitation, claiming that almost all the demands made by the activist have been fulfilled. Hazare, however, said he would not call off the agitation till the Lokayukta Act becomes a reality. Apart from the appointment of Lokpal at the national level and Lokayukta in states, Hazare has been demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and some electoral reforms. "It has been five years since the Lokpal Act was passed. Yet the Narendra Modi government has not appointed Lokpal...Lokayukta Act has not been passed in Maharashtra for four years," Hazare observed in his letter dated January 28. The activist said the chief minister had mediated when he had launched the agitation at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi in March last year. Hazare said he had withdrawn that agitation after the central government had assured in writing that it would fulfil the demands. "Nine months have passed, yet the demands have not been fulfilled. Hence, I will be on hunger strike in my village Ralegan Siddhi on January 30," Hazare said in the letter. Mahajan urged Hazare not go ahead with the agitation saying almost all the demands he had raised were fulfilled. "His first demand was implementing Swaminathan Commission recommendations, that farmers should get 1.5 times MSP. I think that demand has been fulfilled," Mahanjan told reporters here. Speaking in Ahmednagar, Hazare welcomed the government's decision to set rolling the process to appoint Lokayukta. "I thank them on behalf the people for taking the decision to the appointment of Lokayukta through the Constitutional process. But that does not mean I will not stage hunger strike tomorrow. The agitation will go on until the act is in place," Hazare added. In Delhi, an eight-member search panel formed to select members of anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal Tuesday held its first meeting, nearly four months after it was set up by the Modi government. The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is understood to have discussed modalities related to the appointments of the chief and members of Lokpal.

Maharashtra: Anna Hazare to launch hunger strike from Wednesday on Lokpal

<p>Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues, who spent the night at the lieutenant governor's office, today dug in their heels with Health Minister Satyendar Jain beginning an indefinite hunger strike to press for their demands.</p>

<p>The AAP government's demands include a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike", action against those who have struck work for "four months". It has also asked the L-G to approve the proposal for doorstep delivery of rations.</p>

<p>Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Development Minister Gopal Rai and Jain met Baijal at&nbsp;5.30 pm&nbsp;yesterday and have since stayed on.</p>

<p>After spending the entire night, Kejriwal released a video today and said that the AAP ministers had "no option" but to stage a sit-in at the LG's office as Lt Governor Anil Baijal was not paying heed to the Delhi government's demands "despite several requests".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am really appalled at LG’s stubborn refusal to end IAS strike and his justifications for ongoing strike. Wonder what are PMO’s instructions to him</p>
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1006475254623973376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>It was the first time in the history of Delhi that the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at the L-G's office to press for their demands, sources said.</p>

<p>The move drew criticism from the BJP's local unit who termed the sit-in as a "mockery of democracy".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Making mockery of Democracy, No Work only Drama (sic)," Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the AAP maintained that their fight will continue and they will not get "bogged down" till their demands are met.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Modi and LG are not allowing us to work for the betterment. LG is orchestrating the strike by the IAS officers," AAP leader Sanjay Singh said.</p>

<p>The leader of opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta called Kejriwal's sit-in a way to "shirk work".</p>

<p>"Delhi's maalik (owner) Kejriwal and company are protesting inside an air-conditioned room. Delicacies are being served to them from outside, while the city's reeling under a water crisis. They are only concerned about politics and not about people's issues," he said on Twitter.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Kejriwal, tweeted from the LG's office, "Satyender Jain starts indefinite fast".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jain began his fast from the L-G's office at&nbsp;11 am.</p>

<p>Last night, the chief minister, who is a diabetic, had to take insulin during the sit-in and got "specific food" from his home, the sources said.</p>

<p>"My dear Delhiites, good morning. Struggle continues," Kejriwal tweeted at&nbsp;6.27 am&nbsp;from the L-G's office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G's office and the police have barricaded the area.</p>

<p>In the video statement released by him, Kejriwal said that the AAP ministers have staged a sit-in for the people of Delhi so that their work does not get affected.</p>

<p>According to the AAP government, officers have not been attending meetings with the ministers and not picking up their calls due to which the people's work was suffering.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officers have gone on a "partial strike" since the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on the intervening night of&nbsp;February 19-20, it said.</p>

<p>In the video message, Kejriwal said that he and his ministers have been requesting the L-G since&nbsp;February 23&nbsp;to issue directions to the IAS officers to end their "strike", but the Lt Governor was not paying heed to their demands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Yesterday, we again met him (Baijal) and told him that he will go from here (L-G office) only after getting our demands fulfilled," he said.</p>

<p>The chief minister said, "We are not sitting here for ourselves, but we are sitting here for you (Delhiites) and for schools, water, mohalla clinics so that the people of Delhi could get facilities."</p>

<p>Kejriwal alleged that some of the officers told him that the L-G's office was "orchestrating" the "officers' strike" that is why Lt Governor does not want bureaucrats to end their strike.</p>

<p>The L-G's office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it was one more "dharna without reason".</p>

<p>A statement, issued by Baijal's office last evening, stated that the L-G was "threatened" to summon officers and issue directions to them to end their "strike" immediately.</p>

<p>In the morning, a letter, signed by Kejriwal, Sisodia, Rai and Jain, was sent to Baijal, asking him to take all necessary steps to end the "strike" by the IAS officers, including issuing written orders, that all those officers who do not return to work will be proceeded against and "if</p>

<p>necessary, ESMA may be invoked".</p>

<p>However, the officers association has claimed that no officer is on strike and no work has been affected.</p>

<p>"Good Morning @LtGovDelhi Sir! Delhi CM and 3 ministers are still waiting in your waiting room since yesterday evening. We hope today you'll get time from your busy schedule to resolve these three issues. Till then we are waiting...," Sisodia tweeted.</p>

<p>"Handed him this letter. L-G refuses to take action. L-G is under a constitutional duty to act. Left wid no option, we have politely told LG that we will not leave till he acts on all points. We have come out of his chamber n sitting in his waiting room (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted last evening after he along with his three ministers started their sit-in.</p>

<p>The AAP government and the bureaucracy have been at loggerheads since the alleged assault on Prakash by AAP MLAs at Kejriwal's residence on the intervening night of&nbsp;February 19-20.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The AAP government's demands include a direction to IAS officers to end their 'strike', action against those who have struck work for 'four months'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues, who spent the night at the lieutenant governor's office, today dug in their heels with Health Minister Satyendar Jain beginning an indefinite hunger strike to press for their demands. The AAP government's demands include a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike", action against those who have struck work for "four months". It has also asked the L-G to approve the proposal for doorstep delivery of rations. Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Development Minister Gopal Rai and Jain met Baijal at 5.30 pm yesterday and have since stayed on. After spending the entire night, Kejriwal released a video today and said that the AAP ministers had "no option" but to stage a sit-in at the LG's office as Lt Governor Anil Baijal was not paying heed to the Delhi government's demands "despite several requests". I am really appalled at LG’s stubborn refusal to end IAS strike and his justifications for ongoing strike. Wonder what are PMO’s instructions to him — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 12, 2018 × It was the first time in the history of Delhi that the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at the L-G's office to press for their demands, sources said. The move drew criticism from the BJP's local unit who termed the sit-in as a "mockery of democracy". "Making mockery of Democracy, No Work only Drama (sic)," Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said on Twitter. However, the AAP maintained that their fight will continue and they will not get "bogged down" till their demands are met. "Modi and LG are not allowing us to work for the betterment. LG is orchestrating the strike by the IAS officers," AAP leader Sanjay Singh said. The leader of opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta called Kejriwal's sit-in a way to "shirk work". "Delhi's maalik (owner) Kejriwal and company are protesting inside an air-conditioned room. Delicacies are being served to them from outside, while the city's reeling under a water crisis. They are only concerned about politics and not about people's issues," he said on Twitter. Meanwhile, Kejriwal, tweeted from the LG's office, "Satyender Jain starts indefinite fast". Jain began his fast from the L-G's office at 11 am. Last night, the chief minister, who is a diabetic, had to take insulin during the sit-in and got "specific food" from his home, the sources said. "My dear Delhiites, good morning. Struggle continues," Kejriwal tweeted at 6.27 am from the L-G's office. A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G's office and the police have barricaded the area. In the video statement released by him, Kejriwal said that the AAP ministers have staged a sit-in for the people of Delhi so that their work does not get affected. According to the AAP government, officers have not been attending meetings with the ministers and not picking up their calls due to which the people's work was suffering. Officers have gone on a "partial strike" since the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on the intervening night of February 19-20, it said. In the video message, Kejriwal said that he and his ministers have been requesting the L-G since February 23 to issue directions to the IAS officers to end their "strike", but the Lt Governor was not paying heed to their demands. "Yesterday, we again met him (Baijal) and told him that he will go from here (L-G office) only after getting our demands fulfilled," he said. The chief minister said, "We are not sitting here for ourselves, but we are sitting here for you (Delhiites) and for schools, water, mohalla clinics so that the people of Delhi could get facilities." Kejriwal alleged that some of the officers told him that the L-G's office was "orchestrating" the "officers' strike" that is why Lt Governor does not want bureaucrats to end their strike. The L-G's office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it was one more "dharna without reason". A statement, issued by Baijal's office last evening, stated that the L-G was "threatened" to summon officers and issue directions to them to end their "strike" immediately. In the morning, a letter, signed by Kejriwal, Sisodia, Rai and Jain, was sent to Baijal, asking him to take all necessary steps to end the "strike" by the IAS officers, including issuing written orders, that all those officers who do not return to work will be proceeded against and "if necessary, ESMA may be invoked". However, the officers association has claimed that no officer is on strike and no work has been affected. "Good Morning @LtGovDelhi Sir! Delhi CM and 3 ministers are still waiting in your waiting room since yesterday evening. We hope today you'll get time from your busy schedule to resolve these three issues. Till then we are waiting...," Sisodia tweeted. "Handed him this letter. L-G refuses to take action. L-G is under a constitutional duty to act. Left wid no option, we have politely told LG that we will not leave till he acts on all points. We have come out of his chamber n sitting in his waiting room (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted last evening after he along with his three ministers started their sit-in. The AAP government and the bureaucracy have been at loggerheads since the alleged assault on Prakash by AAP MLAs at Kejriwal's residence on the intervening night of February 19-20.

'Dharna without reason' says L-G's office as Kejriwal continues sit-in

<p>Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long fast here on Friday to demand Special Category Status (SCS) to the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Incidentally, April 20 also happens to be the Telugu Desam Party chief’s birthday.</p>

<p>Naidu's hunger strike at Vijayawada's Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium started at 7 am and will end at 7 pm to pressurise the Centre to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>The strategy for the hunger strike was finalised by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Naidu, on Monday.</p>

<p>Thirteen ministers of Naidu’s cabinet will also organise simultaneous hunger strikes in the districts for which they are in-charge ministers. Remaining ministers will take part in the hunger strike along with the Chief Minister.</p>

<p>The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding SCS to Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>The Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Vijayawada: CM Chandrababu Naidu on a one-day hunger strike against 'Centre's non-cooperation with the state' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpecialStatus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpecialStatus</a> <a href="https://t.co/xMKIP4y8bP">pic.twitter.com/xMKIP4y8bP</a></p>
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<p>The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of ‘Special Category Status’ to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges.</p>

<p>Naidu has been calling for the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Asserting his demand, the TDP had quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month.</p>

<p>The TDP’s departure came after two of its ministers resigned from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cabinet on March 8.</p>

<p>The Centre pays 90 per cent of the funds required in a centrally-sponsored scheme to special category status category states as against 60 per cent in case of normal category states, while the remaining funds are provided by the state governments.</p>

<p>The SCS was first accorded in 1969 to Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland. Over the years, eight more states were added to the list – Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and, finally, in 2010, Uttarakhand.</p>


Chandrababu Naidu has also reportedly asked his Cabinet colleagues, party cadres and legislators to join him in the day long hunger strike to protest the ‘injustice’ meted out to by the Centre over its failure to grant the special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long fast here on Friday to demand Special Category Status (SCS) to the state. Incidentally, April 20 also happens to be the Telugu Desam Party chief’s birthday. Naidu's hunger strike at Vijayawada's Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium started at 7 am and will end at 7 pm to pressurise the Centre to grant the SCS to Andhra Pradesh. The strategy for the hunger strike was finalised by the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Naidu, on Monday. Thirteen ministers of Naidu’s cabinet will also organise simultaneous hunger strikes in the districts for which they are in-charge ministers. Remaining ministers will take part in the hunger strike along with the Chief Minister. The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding SCS to Andhra Pradesh. The Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre have been at the loggerheads ever since the announcement of 2018-19 Union Budget. Vijayawada: CM Chandrababu Naidu on a one-day hunger strike against 'Centre's non-cooperation with the state' #AndhraPradesh #SpecialStatus pic.twitter.com/xMKIP4y8bP — ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2018 × The TDP alleged that the Centre ignored the demand of ‘Special Category Status’ to Andhra Pradesh in the budget, while the latter brushed aside the charges. Naidu has been calling for the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Asserting his demand, the TDP had quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month. The TDP’s departure came after two of its ministers resigned from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cabinet on March 8. The Centre pays 90 per cent of the funds required in a centrally-sponsored scheme to special category status category states as against 60 per cent in case of normal category states, while the remaining funds are provided by the state governments. The SCS was first accorded in 1969 to Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland. Over the years, eight more states were added to the list – Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and, finally, in 2010, Uttarakhand.

Andhra Pradesh special status: CM N Chandrababu Naidu on day-long hunger strike

<p>YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday referred the hunger strike called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu against the Centre’s non-cooperation as a mean to cheat the people of the state.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, the YSRCP chief said that it would have been better if the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief would have asked his MPs to go on strike with the YSRCP one’s to push the Center for the Special Category Status (SCS).</p>

<p>“He is cheating people again. What happened when all YSRCP MPs resigned and went on hunger strike? If he would’ve gotten his MPs to do the same then, it would’ve created national buzz and the Centre would’ve given special status to the state,” Reddy said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Naidu earlier announced that he will sit on a one-day hunger strike against the Centre’s non-cooperation of the state on April 20. The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh, which was promised by the Center during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.</p>


Naidu earlier announced that he will sit on a one-day hunger strike against the Centre’s non-cooperation of the state on April 20.

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday referred the hunger strike called by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu against the Centre’s non-cooperation as a mean to cheat the people of the state. Speaking to ANI, the YSRCP chief said that it would have been better if the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief would have asked his MPs to go on strike with the YSRCP one’s to push the Center for the Special Category Status (SCS). “He is cheating people again. What happened when all YSRCP MPs resigned and went on hunger strike? If he would’ve gotten his MPs to do the same then, it would’ve created national buzz and the Centre would’ve given special status to the state,” Reddy said. Naidu earlier announced that he will sit on a one-day hunger strike against the Centre’s non-cooperation of the state on April 20. The Andhra Pradesh politicians have been protesting demanding Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh, which was promised by the Center during the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

Chandrababu Naidu cheating people by going on hunger strike, says YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy

<p>Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will sit on a day-long hunger strike on April 20 for the&nbsp;demand of Special status for their state.</p>

<p>The hunger strike will be organised against the Central government.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/snap-ties-with-tdp-if-required-andhra-pradesh-bjp-to-central-leadership-33432">conflict between the BJP and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP </a>) began after the centre&nbsp;failed to fulfil Karnataka's demand of special status.</p>

<p>The row between the two parties also led to the exit of TDP from NDA, the BJP led alliance.</p>

<p>Also, two TDP ministers Ashok Gajapathi and YS Chowdary resigned from the Modi cabinet.</p>

<p>Besides the resignation of the two TDP ministers from Modi cabinet, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/5-ysrcp-mps-to-submit-their-resignation-from-lok-sabha-to-speaker-sumitra-mahajan-today--128691">five YSRCP MPs also submitted their resignations </a>to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on April 6.</p>

<p>The special status to Andhra Pradesh would give the state a central funding in a 90:10 ratio, with the Centre paying the larger share.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AndhraPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AndhraPradesh</a> Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to sit on a day long hunger strike on 20th April against Central Government over demand of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpecialStatus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpecialStatus</a> for the state (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/fjKWOuYMbX">pic.twitter.com/fjKWOuYMbX</a></p>
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The hunger strike will be organised against the Central government for the demand of special status to Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will sit on a day-long hunger strike on April 20 for the demand of Special status for their state. The hunger strike will be organised against the Central government. The conflict between the BJP and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP ) began after the centre failed to fulfil Karnataka's demand of special status. The row between the two parties also led to the exit of TDP from NDA, the BJP led alliance. Also, two TDP ministers Ashok Gajapathi and YS Chowdary resigned from the Modi cabinet. Besides the resignation of the two TDP ministers from Modi cabinet, five YSRCP MPs also submitted their resignations to Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on April 6. The special status to Andhra Pradesh would give the state a central funding in a 90:10 ratio, with the Centre paying the larger share. #AndhraPradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to sit on a day long hunger strike on 20th April against Central Government over demand of #SpecialStatus for the state (File pic) pic.twitter.com/fjKWOuYMbX — ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018 ×

Now, Chandrababu Naidu to sit on day-long fast on April 20

<p>CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury today visited Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here and extended his support to YSR Congress Party legislators who have sat on a hunger strike demanding special category status to the state. Yechury’s visit came on the second day of the hunger strike.</p>

<p>Addressing the YSR Congress Party members present there, Yechury said he was not visiting them “to get appreciation. This is our duty and responsibility.” “On the day the bill to bifurcate the state came to Parliament, I asked about sharing of electricity, water and government employees. But there was no answer. (Then) I asked why was it taken up without proper homework,” Yechury said.</p>

<p>He said “nothing has happened”, despite then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh giving an assurance that the special status would be given to Andhra Pradesh for five years and then Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu promising to extend the status to 10 years if a BJP government comes to power. On the TDP first allying and now moving away from the BJP, Yechury said: “We asked TDP why they were again getting into an alliance with BJP after being out of power for 10 years in the united AP following the previous alliance.”</p>

<p>“They said ‘BJP will be at the Centre and we will form the government in the state. Both will work for special status’ they said. Now we can see where we are standing after four years of alliance,” he said.</p>

<p>The five YSR Congress Party members sitting on the indefinite hunger strike yesterday resigned from Lok Sabha over the “failure” of the Centre to grant the status to Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, 73 and one of the five MPs sitting on the hunger strike, was today taken to RML Hospital after he complained of uneasiness. Earlier today, doctors had examined the leaders and said no medical intervention was required at the moment.</p>


On the TDP first allying and now moving away from the BJP, Sitaram Yechury said: "We asked TDP why they were again getting into alliance with BJP after being out of power for 10 years in the united AP following the previous alliance."

CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury today visited Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here and extended his support to YSR Congress Party legislators who have sat on a hunger strike demanding special category status to the state. Yechury’s visit came on the second day of the hunger strike. Addressing the YSR Congress Party members present there, Yechury said he was not visiting them “to get appreciation. This is our duty and responsibility.” “On the day the bill to bifurcate the state came to Parliament, I asked about sharing of electricity, water and government employees. But there was no answer. (Then) I asked why was it taken up without proper homework,” Yechury said. He said “nothing has happened”, despite then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh giving an assurance that the special status would be given to Andhra Pradesh for five years and then Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu promising to extend the status to 10 years if a BJP government comes to power. On the TDP first allying and now moving away from the BJP, Yechury said: “We asked TDP why they were again getting into an alliance with BJP after being out of power for 10 years in the united AP following the previous alliance.” “They said ‘BJP will be at the Centre and we will form the government in the state. Both will work for special status’ they said. Now we can see where we are standing after four years of alliance,” he said. The five YSR Congress Party members sitting on the indefinite hunger strike yesterday resigned from Lok Sabha over the “failure” of the Centre to grant the status to Andhra Pradesh. Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, 73 and one of the five MPs sitting on the hunger strike, was today taken to RML Hospital after he complained of uneasiness. Earlier today, doctors had examined the leaders and said no medical intervention was required at the moment.

Andhra special status: Sitaram Yechury offers support to YSRCP members on hunger strike

<p>With a team of about six thousand people, social activist Anna Hazare has started the indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce in Delhi.</p>

<p>The hunger strike has been organised in the iconic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi where the anti-corruption crusader began his strike seven-year ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anna has been fighting for setting up of the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states.</p>

<p>He is also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report to address the agrarian distress.</p>

<p>Accusing the central government of not alloting space, Hazare said that he will fight for his demands until his last breath.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also refused to accept last minute overtures from Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to call off his hunger strike and said he will call off the strike only after Modi government comes with a proposal to address demands for Lokpal.</p>

<p>He also said that he would carry his &quot; Satyagraha from jail&quot; if he is not given space in New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anna Hazare pays tribute at Raj Ghat in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>; will begin an indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce, later today <a href="https://t.co/DXaSsx96gJ">pic.twitter.com/DXaSsx96gJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977041186392330240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Ramlila Maidan in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> where social activist Anna Hazare&#39;s will today begin an indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce <a href="https://t.co/X0zT19x2aM">pic.twitter.com/X0zT19x2aM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977005436170854400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The hunger strike has been organised in the iconic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi where the anti-corruption crusader began his strike seven-year ago

With a team of about six thousand people, social activist Anna Hazare has started the indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce in Delhi. The hunger strike has been organised in the iconic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi where the anti-corruption crusader began his strike seven-year ago. Anna has been fighting for setting up of the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states. He is also demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report to address the agrarian distress. Accusing the central government of not alloting space, Hazare said that he will fight for his demands until his last breath. He also refused to accept last minute overtures from Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to call off his hunger strike and said he will call off the strike only after Modi government comes with a proposal to address demands for Lokpal. He also said that he would carry his " Satyagraha from jail" if he is not given space in New Delhi. Anna Hazare pays tribute at Raj Ghat in #Delhi; will begin an indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce, later today pic.twitter.com/DXaSsx96gJ — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2018 × #Visuals from Ramlila Maidan in #Delhi where social activist Anna Hazare's will today begin an indefinite fast demanding a competent Lokpal and better production cost for farm produce pic.twitter.com/X0zT19x2aM — ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2018 ×

Anna Hazare begins indefinite hunger strike at Ramlila maidan

<p>Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has gone on hunger strike to protest his arrest in Ukraine on charges of trying to stage a coup sponsored by Russia, his lawyer and supporters said Saturday.</p>

<p>Kiev police rearrested the foe of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday after an attempt to detain him earlier in the week dramatically failed when supporters swarmed the van in which he was being held.</p>

<p>&quot;Saakashvili has announced an indefinite hunger strike,&quot; journalist and close ally Vladimir Fedorin wrote on Facebook, in comments echoed by the former leader&#39;s lawyer Ruslan Chornolutskyi to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.</p>

<p>The 49-year-old denounced the &quot;false accusations&quot; against him, Chornolutskyi added.</p>

<p>Around 100 supporters of Saakashvili, the man who pulled Georgia out of Russia&#39;s orbit in a 2003 revolution before becoming a governor in Ukraine, gathered outside a security service detention centre shouting &quot;shame&quot; on Friday following his arrest.</p>

<p>A court hearing on the case is expected be held in Kiev on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prosecutors would ask for Saakashvili to be held under pretrial house arrest, prosecutor General spokeswoman Larysa Sargan said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since Saakashvili escaped detention on Tuesday he has continued leading protests outside parliament demanding Poroshenko&#39;s impeachment over his failure to fight high-level corruption.</p>

<p>Saakashvili denies committing any crimes and says his actions have been peaceful and legal.</p>

<p>Tuesday&#39;s drama marked the latest chapter in the dizzying career of a man who spearheaded a pro-Western &quot;Rose Revolution&quot; in Georgia in 2003 and fought a disastrous war with Russia five years later that eventually prompted him to flee the Caucasus country.</p>

<p>Saakashvili returned to the spotlight as a vocal champion of the three-month street uprising in Kiev that toppled a Moscow-backed government in 2014 and turned Ukraine on a pro-EU course.</p>

<p>Poroshenko rewarded Saakashvili for his efforts by appointing him governor of the important Black Sea region of Odessa in 2015.</p>

<p>But an ugly falling out between the two men saw Saakashvili stripped of his Ukrainian passport -- only for him to defy the authorities and force his way back into the conflict-riven country with the help of supporters in September.</p>


Kiev police rearrested Mikheil Saakashvili on Friday

Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has gone on hunger strike to protest his arrest in Ukraine on charges of trying to stage a coup sponsored by Russia, his lawyer and supporters said Saturday. Kiev police rearrested the foe of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday after an attempt to detain him earlier in the week dramatically failed when supporters swarmed the van in which he was being held. "Saakashvili has announced an indefinite hunger strike," journalist and close ally Vladimir Fedorin wrote on Facebook, in comments echoed by the former leader's lawyer Ruslan Chornolutskyi to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The 49-year-old denounced the "false accusations" against him, Chornolutskyi added. Around 100 supporters of Saakashvili, the man who pulled Georgia out of Russia's orbit in a 2003 revolution before becoming a governor in Ukraine, gathered outside a security service detention centre shouting "shame" on Friday following his arrest. A court hearing on the case is expected be held in Kiev on Monday. Prosecutors would ask for Saakashvili to be held under pretrial house arrest, prosecutor General spokeswoman Larysa Sargan said. Since Saakashvili escaped detention on Tuesday he has continued leading protests outside parliament demanding Poroshenko's impeachment over his failure to fight high-level corruption. Saakashvili denies committing any crimes and says his actions have been peaceful and legal. Tuesday's drama marked the latest chapter in the dizzying career of a man who spearheaded a pro-Western "Rose Revolution" in Georgia in 2003 and fought a disastrous war with Russia five years later that eventually prompted him to flee the Caucasus country. Saakashvili returned to the spotlight as a vocal champion of the three-month street uprising in Kiev that toppled a Moscow-backed government in 2014 and turned Ukraine on a pro-EU course. Poroshenko rewarded Saakashvili for his efforts by appointing him governor of the important Black Sea region of Odessa in 2015. But an ugly falling out between the two men saw Saakashvili stripped of his Ukrainian passport -- only for him to defy the authorities and force his way back into the conflict-riven country with the help of supporters in September.

Ex-Georgian president Saakashvili on hunger strike after Ukraine arrest

<p>Dr Govinda KC spent 22 days lying on a gurney in a hospital in Nepal&#39;s capital Kathmandu, but he was not a patient. The orthopaedic surgeon was on hunger strike.</p>

<p>Dr KC has gone on hunger strike 10 times over the past four years in an attempt to pressure the government to improve healthcare in the impoverished Himalayan nation -- and he is sure he will have to strike again.</p>

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<h5>Nepal&#39;s limited health sector was further strained after the devastating 2015 earthquake, which damaged nearly a third of public clinics and hospitals</h5>
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<p>&quot;The hospitals and medical institutions, they don&#39;t have proper infrastructure. They don&#39;t have adequate manpower, adequate equipment,&quot; said Dr KC from a hospital bed where he is recovering from his latest fast.</p>

<p>Nepal -- a country of 28 million people -- has only seven doctors, nurses and midwives, and 50 hospital beds, for every 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The WHO recommends at least 34.5 skilled healthcare professionals per 10,000 people.</p>

<p>The limited health sector was further strained after the devastating 2015 earthquake, which damaged nearly a third of public clinics and hospitals.</p>

<p>More than 80 percent of the population live in rural areas, reliant on rudimentary state-run clinics, while hospitals are concentrated in cities -- and are mostly private.</p>

<p>&quot;Private health care is linked to higher out-of-pocket payments, which leads to more people being impoverished as a result of health care,&quot; said Jos Vandelaer, country director for the WHO in Nepal.</p>

<p>Health Minister Gagan Thapa said that while Nepal has made improvements, reducing child and maternal mortality, health care remained limited -- and expensive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;You have one liver problem and you are back into poverty,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Something of a medical Robin Hood, Dr KC, 60, is well known in Nepal for his philanthropic work, travelling to some of the country&#39;s most remote communities to provide medical care and train local health workers.</p>

<p>He lives in doctors&#39; quarters at the back of the hospitals where he works and spends less than a third of his salary on himself, using most of it to buy drugs and basic equipment for his clinics. His only luxury is a 20-year-old television.</p>

<p>He has travelled alone to help out in disaster zones around the world, offering his services to local hospitals in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.</p>

<p><strong>Broken promises</strong></p>

<p>Nepal has been plagued by political instability since it transformed from a Hindu monarchy to a federal state in 2008, two years after the end of the bloody decade-long Maoist insurgency.</p>

<p>The revolving door politics has seen competing parties seek to retain influence by stacking loyalists within the bureaucratic structures -- including in the health sector.</p>

<p>A new constitution agreed last year included a pledge for universal healthcare, but the charter is yet to be implemented.</p>

<p>Private hospitals and medical colleges have mushroomed, filling a hole left by the limited government-run health sector, and often owned by the politically well-connected.</p>

<p>&quot;It is supposed to be a service-orientated sector, but it has turned to be [a] profit making sector for the political parties, for the politicians themselves,&quot; said Dr KC.</p>

<p>Top of Dr KC&#39;s demands is an end to the political meddling that he says is putting business interests ahead of developing public health services.</p>

<p>Training is particularly contentious, dominated by fee-based medical schools which critics say lack basic facilities and enrol too many students each year.</p>

<p>&quot;There is no commercialization of the medical education sector in the big developed countries, whereas in our country it is so rampantly commercialised,&quot; said Dr KC, who trained in Bangladesh with residencies in Britain and Switzerland.</p>

<p>Health minister Thapa said at least six members of the government&#39;s advisory health committee, which has consistently blocked the passing of a medical education bill to regulate doctor training, had links to private medical colleges.</p>

<p>The bill was one of the main demands Dr KC made in his latest strike, his longest yet, which ended in early December after he reached an agreement with the government.</p>

<p>But the surgeon and his supporters have little confidence things will change quickly.</p>

<p>&quot;This is the tenth time that Dr Govinda KC has been in hunger strike, that means there has been nine times the agreement has been broken,&quot; said Dr Lijan Maharjan, part of his negotiating team.</p>

<p>Lying on a hospital bed, a woollen hat pulled down low against the cold, Dr KC appeared resigned to another strike.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;They won&#39;t let it happen if I don&#39;t,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Dr Govinda KC has gone on hunger strike 10 times over the past four years in an attempt to pressure the government to improve healthcare

Dr Govinda KC spent 22 days lying on a gurney in a hospital in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, but he was not a patient. The orthopaedic surgeon was on hunger strike. Dr KC has gone on hunger strike 10 times over the past four years in an attempt to pressure the government to improve healthcare in the impoverished Himalayan nation -- and he is sure he will have to strike again. Nepal's limited health sector was further strained after the devastating 2015 earthquake, which damaged nearly a third of public clinics and hospitals × "The hospitals and medical institutions, they don't have proper infrastructure. They don't have adequate manpower, adequate equipment," said Dr KC from a hospital bed where he is recovering from his latest fast. Nepal -- a country of 28 million people -- has only seven doctors, nurses and midwives, and 50 hospital beds, for every 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO recommends at least 34.5 skilled healthcare professionals per 10,000 people. The limited health sector was further strained after the devastating 2015 earthquake, which damaged nearly a third of public clinics and hospitals. More than 80 percent of the population live in rural areas, reliant on rudimentary state-run clinics, while hospitals are concentrated in cities -- and are mostly private. "Private health care is linked to higher out-of-pocket payments, which leads to more people being impoverished as a result of health care," said Jos Vandelaer, country director for the WHO in Nepal. Health Minister Gagan Thapa said that while Nepal has made improvements, reducing child and maternal mortality, health care remained limited -- and expensive. "You have one liver problem and you are back into poverty," he said. Something of a medical Robin Hood, Dr KC, 60, is well known in Nepal for his philanthropic work, travelling to some of the country's most remote communities to provide medical care and train local health workers. He lives in doctors' quarters at the back of the hospitals where he works and spends less than a third of his salary on himself, using most of it to buy drugs and basic equipment for his clinics. His only luxury is a 20-year-old television. He has travelled alone to help out in disaster zones around the world, offering his services to local hospitals in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan. Broken promises Nepal has been plagued by political instability since it transformed from a Hindu monarchy to a federal state in 2008, two years after the end of the bloody decade-long Maoist insurgency. The revolving door politics has seen competing parties seek to retain influence by stacking loyalists within the bureaucratic structures -- including in the health sector. A new constitution agreed last year included a pledge for universal healthcare, but the charter is yet to be implemented. Private hospitals and medical colleges have mushroomed, filling a hole left by the limited government-run health sector, and often owned by the politically well-connected. "It is supposed to be a service-orientated sector, but it has turned to be [a] profit making sector for the political parties, for the politicians themselves," said Dr KC. Top of Dr KC's demands is an end to the political meddling that he says is putting business interests ahead of developing public health services. Training is particularly contentious, dominated by fee-based medical schools which critics say lack basic facilities and enrol too many students each year. "There is no commercialization of the medical education sector in the big developed countries, whereas in our country it is so rampantly commercialised," said Dr KC, who trained in Bangladesh with residencies in Britain and Switzerland. Health minister Thapa said at least six members of the government's advisory health committee, which has consistently blocked the passing of a medical education bill to regulate doctor training, had links to private medical colleges. The bill was one of the main demands Dr KC made in his latest strike, his longest yet, which ended in early December after he reached an agreement with the government. But the surgeon and his supporters have little confidence things will change quickly. "This is the tenth time that Dr Govinda KC has been in hunger strike, that means there has been nine times the agreement has been broken," said Dr Lijan Maharjan, part of his negotiating team. Lying on a hospital bed, a woollen hat pulled down low against the cold, Dr KC appeared resigned to another strike. "They won't let it happen if I don't," he said. (AFP)

Hunger-striking doctor demands better healthcare in Nepal

Hundreds of migrants from the Middle East and Asia marched through Belgrade today on their way to Hungary, and announced a hunger strike to underline their demand for passage to western Europe.<br />
<br />
Last month Hungary, Serbia&#39;s northern neighbour and an European Union member, allowed police to send back illegal migrants detained within eight kilometres of its razor wire-fenced frontier with Serbia. It has also limited the number of daily entries to a maximum of 30, creating a bottleneck in Serbia.<br />
<br />
A group of around 300 men, mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, marched across the main bridge between Belgrades city centre and the Novi Beograd area, with a police car leading the column. There were no women or children in the group.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A police officer who declined to be named said the migrants had started a march to the Hungarian border, around 200 kilometres to the north. &quot;We are here to guarantee their safety and prevent accidents en route,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the day, the group also announced a hunger strike, said Vladimir Sjekloca, a manager of Belgrade&#39;s Asylum Info Centre.<br />
<br />
&quot;They want to go to Hungary, they want borders open,&quot; he said. &quot;Most of them spent the night in the park.&quot; To cope with the inflow of over 100,000 migrants that passed through Serbia so far this year, the country&#39;s police and army last week formed joint border patrols. More than 650,000 people passed through Serbia last year on their way to the EU.<br />
<br />
On Friday, Aleksandar Vulin, Serbia`s minister for social affairs, said as many as 3,000 migrants were stranded in the country.<br />
&quot;Serbia cannot allow that,&quot; Vulin was quoted as saying by the Tanjug news agency. &quot;It will not suffer because EU countries cannot find a joint solution.&quot;<br />
<br />
Unlike in 2015, when countries tried to organise the orderly passage of migrants, the closure of the Balkan route prompted many to cross borders illegally or through human trafficking networks.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

More than 650,000 people passed through Serbia last year on their way to the EU

Hundreds of migrants from the Middle East and Asia marched through Belgrade today on their way to Hungary, and announced a hunger strike to underline their demand for passage to western Europe. Last month Hungary, Serbia's northern neighbour and an European Union member, allowed police to send back illegal migrants detained within eight kilometres of its razor wire-fenced frontier with Serbia. It has also limited the number of daily entries to a maximum of 30, creating a bottleneck in Serbia. A group of around 300 men, mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, marched across the main bridge between Belgrades city centre and the Novi Beograd area, with a police car leading the column. There were no women or children in the group. A police officer who declined to be named said the migrants had started a march to the Hungarian border, around 200 kilometres to the north. "We are here to guarantee their safety and prevent accidents en route," he said. Earlier in the day, the group also announced a hunger strike, said Vladimir Sjekloca, a manager of Belgrade's Asylum Info Centre. "They want to go to Hungary, they want borders open," he said. "Most of them spent the night in the park." To cope with the inflow of over 100,000 migrants that passed through Serbia so far this year, the country's police and army last week formed joint border patrols. More than 650,000 people passed through Serbia last year on their way to the EU. On Friday, Aleksandar Vulin, Serbia`s minister for social affairs, said as many as 3,000 migrants were stranded in the country. "Serbia cannot allow that," Vulin was quoted as saying by the Tanjug news agency. "It will not suffer because EU countries cannot find a joint solution." Unlike in 2015, when countries tried to organise the orderly passage of migrants, the closure of the Balkan route prompted many to cross borders illegally or through human trafficking networks. (Reuters)

Migrants in Serbia march to Hungary, announce hunger strike

A Russian woman, Olga Fimenkov, has been sitting at the doorstep of her in-laws&#39; home in India&#39;s northern Agra city in protest against the refusal by her mother-in-law to let her into the house.<br />
<br />
Fimenkov, who married Vikrant Singh Chandel in 2011, is on a hunger strike, and claims that she, her daughter, and husband have been barred from entering the house.<br />
<br />
&quot;My problem is that my mother in-law has thrown us out of the house. We don&#39;t have any other place to live. I am sitting here with my daughter at the gate of the house. She is not letting me go inside. I have not eaten anything from morning and I will not eat also until I am getting a place to live in,&quot; Fimenkov said on Saturday (July 09) in fluent Hindi.<br />
<br />
She accused her mother-in-law of mentally torturing her for not bringing dowry with her.<br />
<br />
Fimenkov and her husband Vikrant claimed that they have reported the matter to local police but they have been of little help.<br />
<br />
Fimenkov said she had also lodged a written complaint with Russian embassy.<br />
<br />
Her husband admitted that his wife was often tortured by his mother.<br />
<br />
&quot;My mother physically assaults and tortures my wife. She has demanded Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and I don&#39;t have that much amount to give it to her. Her behaviour is same with all daughters in-law. She has opened an illegal school and I don&#39;t think she has the right papers for that,&quot; claimed Vikrant. &quot;I went to New Agra police station. It&#39;s been 20 days since I have reported but they are not helping. I have been out here for the last 20 days and now I don&#39;t have any money left.&quot;<br />
<br />
Vikrant&#39;s mother Nirmala Chandel denied all the allegations and said that the couple owed her $16,385 which she had given to them since their marriage.<br />
<br />
&quot;My son and daughter in-law do gambling and consume alcohol. You can do their test. They abuse me and my children. I am not able to run the school and they don&#39;t allow me to do any work. Since their marriage, I have given them Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and now I don&#39;t have any money left. Whatever I save they take all money from me,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
According to local reports, the couple suffered heavy losses in business in western Goa and returned to Agra early this year.<br />
<br />
Violence against women is common in India, with rapes, acid attacks, domestic violence, dowry and deaths being reported frequently.<br />
<br />
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India registered 337,922 incidents of crimes against women in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. Out of those, 36,735 were incidents of rape.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today to help Olga. &nbsp;&quot;Akhilesh ji - Pl help this lady. @yadavakhilesh,&quot; she posted on the microblogging site Twitter.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
(Agencies)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;

Olga Fimenkov says her mother-in-law is upset she did not bring a dowry with her. Her husband and daughter have also been locked out

A Russian woman, Olga Fimenkov, has been sitting at the doorstep of her in-laws' home in India's northern Agra city in protest against the refusal by her mother-in-law to let her into the house. Fimenkov, who married Vikrant Singh Chandel in 2011, is on a hunger strike, and claims that she, her daughter, and husband have been barred from entering the house. "My problem is that my mother in-law has thrown us out of the house. We don't have any other place to live. I am sitting here with my daughter at the gate of the house. She is not letting me go inside. I have not eaten anything from morning and I will not eat also until I am getting a place to live in," Fimenkov said on Saturday (July 09) in fluent Hindi. She accused her mother-in-law of mentally torturing her for not bringing dowry with her. Fimenkov and her husband Vikrant claimed that they have reported the matter to local police but they have been of little help. Fimenkov said she had also lodged a written complaint with Russian embassy. Her husband admitted that his wife was often tortured by his mother. "My mother physically assaults and tortures my wife. She has demanded Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and I don't have that much amount to give it to her. Her behaviour is same with all daughters in-law. She has opened an illegal school and I don't think she has the right papers for that," claimed Vikrant. "I went to New Agra police station. It's been 20 days since I have reported but they are not helping. I have been out here for the last 20 days and now I don't have any money left." Vikrant's mother Nirmala Chandel denied all the allegations and said that the couple owed her $16,385 which she had given to them since their marriage. "My son and daughter in-law do gambling and consume alcohol. You can do their test. They abuse me and my children. I am not able to run the school and they don't allow me to do any work. Since their marriage, I have given them Rs 11 lakh ($16,385) and now I don't have any money left. Whatever I save they take all money from me," she said. According to local reports, the couple suffered heavy losses in business in western Goa and returned to Agra early this year. Violence against women is common in India, with rapes, acid attacks, domestic violence, dowry and deaths being reported frequently. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India registered 337,922 incidents of crimes against women in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. Out of those, 36,735 were incidents of rape. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today to help Olga. "Akhilesh ji - Pl help this lady. @yadavakhilesh," she posted on the microblogging site Twitter. (Agencies)

Russian woman goes on hunger strike, protests outside Indian mother-in-law's home after she is thrown out

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