Jaipur: The Khejri Bachao Andolan entered its fourth day Thursday, with protesters in Bikaner refusing to end their hunger strike despite worsening health conditions.Four protesters were admitted to Prince Bijay Singh Memorial (PBM) Hospital, while several others received medical assistance at camps set up near the protest site.One of the hospitalised protesters, Mokhram Dharaniya, said the agitation began on Feb 2 and the govt was yet to take concrete action. “People are sitting on a hunger strike, including me. Our protest will continue until our demands are met,” he said.On Thursday, minister for skill, employment and entrepreneurship KK Bishnoi and State Animal Welfare Board chairman Jaswant Bishnoi reached the Bishnoi Dharamshala and offered juice to the hunger strikers in an attempt to persuade them to break their fast. However, the announcement restricting the felling of Khejri trees only in the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions triggered anger among protesters, who resumed the hunger strike, demanding a statewide ban.The minister said the govt was ready to provide a written commitment and appealed to protesters to end the hunger strike. However, saints on the stage refused to withdraw without formal documentation.Earlier, during the govt representative’s address, protesters took away the microphone, insisting on a written assurance from the govt.Former minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati said, “All sections of society participating in the agitation decided to continue until a complete ban on cutting Khejri trees was imposed across Rajasthan.”Referring to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s announcement in the Assembly about enacting a conservation law, Bhati said, “The demand was for an immediate ban until the legislation comes into force.”Agitation leader Parsaram Bishnoi said, “The hunger strike did not end. The govt order was incomplete as it failed to cover the entire state.”The hunger strike began on Feb 2 at the Polytechnic College ground near the Collectorate in Bikaner before shifting to the Bishnoi Dharamshala later that night, where it continues.Meanwhile, in Barmer, a protest was held at the collectorate Thursday, where some youths climbed the gate and raised slogans after police closed the premises. ADM Rajendra Singh Chandawat held discussions with protesters, and a memorandum addressed to the CM was submitted.Following the death of environmental activist Radheshyam Bishnoi in a road accident on May 23 last year, his mother Ratni Devi and wife Nirma Bishnoi continued his work and are now on a hunger strike, demanding protection for Khejri trees.Environmental activist Bhajanlal Bishnoi, who participated in the Barmer protest, said the key demand was that the state govt introduce a law to protect Khejri trees in the current Assembly session, including a provision of a Rs one lakh fine for violations.
