RTI activist’s fast enters 8th day

The health of RTI activist Ketan Shah, whose has been on an indefinite fast inside the Valsad Nagarpalika premises for eight days now, worsened on Friday, with doctors starting his treatment on the spot. Shah went on hunger strike after his shop was demolished by the Nagarpalika officials following his allegations against Valsad Nagarpalika president Raju Patel, accusing him of illegal encroachment on government land. Shah had made representations to district collector Nalin Thaker and other officials, but in vain. On Friday, doctors turned up at Valsad Nagarpalika premises and gave him glucose. A taluka-level officer also visited Shah in the afternoon and tried to convince him to break his fast, but the activist refused. “My drive is against corrupt officials. I will continue my protest till my last breath. Two years ago, I sat on an indefinite hunger strike against Raju Patel but an official from Navsari collectorate came and gave me assurance following which I ended the protest. Now again, they are using the same trick. I demand strict legal steps against Raju Patel and his family members who have encroached the government land and also the suspension of two corrupt engineers, Hitesh Patel and Sachin Kapadia.