Fasting ex-servicemens’ health deteriorates

IANS/New DelhiCol Pushpender Singh (Retd), who was hospitalised on Monday after fasting for nine days over non-implementation of the ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP), stabilised yesterday but the health of two other veterans deteriorated.The health of retired havildars Major Singh and Ashok Chauhan worsened yesterday.Col Singh was rushed to the Army Research and Referral Hospital after his health deteriorated on Monday. “He is stable now and recovering,” a hospital spokesperson told IANS.Col Anil Kaul (Retd), spokesperson for the ex-servicemen front, said the veteran has refused to break his fast.Havildar Ashok Chauhan (retd), who is on fast since last Tuesday, had to be evacuated yesterday from the protest venue after he suffered muscle atrophy.Havildar Major Singh (Retd), who has been fasting since last Monday, refused to leave the venue despite his deteriorating health and even refused to take water.Sources, meanwhile, said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue yesteday.The veterans also had a meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and the three service chiefs, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Army chief General Dalbir Singh and Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan on Monday night.The veterans are hopeful of a meeting with the prime minister today, even as speculation is rife that an announcement may come on August 28, the anniversary of the 1965 war.