Nashik: The daughters of farmers who have been on a hunger strike for the past one week in Puntamba village, Ahmednagar, were forced to call it off, as their health has taken a beating. One of the girls had to be rushed to the hospital on Thursday night. The fast had begun to affect their renal function. Police had initiated action and forced the girls to call off their stir. The girls, ably supported by the villagers, had managed to oppose police so far. However, another activist, Dhananjay Jadhav and other agitating villagers had to face police action.
Meanwhile, the minister of state for textile, animal husbandry, dairy development, and fisheries, Arjun Khotkar, had visited the girls and noted their deteriorating health. He promised to look into their demands and requested them to call off their fast. The girls are seeking better procurement prices for produce, loan waivers across the board for all farmers and Rs 50 per litre of milk, amongst other demands. If their demands are not met within two days, the girls have threatened to go back on dharna. The state government failed to fulfil the promises made over one-and-a-half years ago, the girls have claimed. Police presence in Puntamba village has been beefed up ever since the protests began.