Berhampur, May 16: The leader and interceptor of Odisha Maobadi Party named Sabyasachi Panda is on a hunger strike in jail for the past three days thus demanding speedy trial of the cases lodged against him. His demands are regular court production of him during hearings and providing all facilities like other undertrail prisoners in jail. He has also protested against his solitary confinement in the jail. His advocate, Deepak Patnaik informed all this to media. Earlier yesterday, he had been produced in the court here regarding a case. On the other hand, senior superintendent, B B Patnaik said that he has been trying to convince Panda to take food and has also rejected the allegation that Panda was kept in solitary confinement in the jail. Instead, he said that, Panda has been kept in high security wards. He is being given ORS and medicines and the jail doctor checks his health regularly. Other medical steps will be initiated if Panda continues his hunger strike. Since his arrest on Jul 18, 2014, a 50-year old Panda went on hunger-strike time to time on similar demands.
