A Victory for People’s Power: MLA Ends Hunger Strike After Government Assurances
In a powerful display of commitment to his constituents, Congress MLA Chander Shekhar ended his nine-day hunger strike on Tuesday. His protest, which began on September 7 at Awahdevi Chowk, was a dramatic stand against alleged irregularities in the construction of the four-lane National Highway from Atari to Leh, a project led by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The breakthrough came after the direct intervention of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. The scene was one of relief and solidarity as Deputy CM Agnihotri personally offered a glass of juice to the weary MLA and others who had joined the fast in support.
“My hunger strike may be over, but our fight is not,” Chander Shekhar stated, emphasizing his continued dedication to protecting the local community and environment. He raised serious concerns that construction companies were violating norms, thereby endangering both lives and the delicate ecology of the area.
In a significant assurance, Deputy CM Agnihotri pledged the state government’s full support, promising to take the demands of the MLA and local residents “to the highest level” of the Central government. Following the resolution, Agnihotri also visited the flood-damaged Dharampur bus stand to assess the losses, connecting the protest to the broader issues of development and safety in the region.
