Devineni indefinite fast enters 11th day

Vijayawada, Dec 23: Udeterred by his deteriorating health, Mylavaram Telugu Desam MLA  Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Wednesday said he would continue his fast till the Centre rolls back its decision on Telangana state.Devineni's indefinite fast reached 11th day on Wednesday. As his condition deteriorated at the Government General Hospital, he was shifted to NRI Hospital at Mangalagiri in Guntur district three days ago along with another Telugu Desam leader Bapaiah Chowdary who is also on fast.

Bapaiah also rejected the advice of Guntur district collector B Ramanjaneyulu to call off the fast and declined to cooperate with the doctors.NRI Academy dean Anjireddy said although there were fluctuations in the blood levels of Devineni and Chowdary, it was not life threatening. . He urged the fasting leaders to cooperate with the doctors to help their treatment and medication. When Devineni joined the NRI Hopsital, he weighed 75 kg and his weight has come down to 69 kg, the doctor said.Following orders from Human Rights Commission Intra-Venous fluids are being administered to the fasting leaders.

A five-member team of doctors led by cardiology department head Gopalakrishna were constantly monitoring the health condition of the leaders from time to time.Meanwhile, about 30 NGOs observed `pen-down' strike on Wednesday and took out rallies in favour of the integrated Andhra Pradesh. Five leaders of Joint Action Committee were taken into custody at Machilipatnam amid stiff resistance from the agitators creating tense moments.