Rashmita Popeta's health worsens on fifth day of fast at Chinchpada flyover
The health of hunger striker Rashmita Popeta deteriorated significantly on Sunday, marking the fifth day of her indefinite fast beneath the Chinchpada flyover. Her worsening condition triggered heightened tensions among project-affected persons (PAPs) and led to an attempted road blockade at Chinchpada junction. Popeta commenced her protest on June 24 to demand that the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport be named after the late farmers' leader Dinkar Balu (D.B.) Patil.
The ongoing indefinite hunger strike has drawn significant support from project-affected families residing across Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts.
The attempted road blockade at Chinchpada junction was staged by a group of agitated protesters. This action followed a visit by administrative officials to the protest site. According to those present, the officials failed to provide any concrete assurances regarding the formal renaming of the airport, which provoked the crowd.
Protesters expressed strong disappointment over the absence of elected representatives from the ruling establishment. They alleged that no political leader had taken cognisance of the ongoing agitation beneath the flyover.
According to the protesters, Popeta has not consumed even water for the past four days, which has led to a serious decline in her health. Despite her deteriorating state, the protesters reiterated that the agitation will continue until the state government formally announces that the airport will be named after D.B. Patil.
D.B. Patil is widely regarded as a champion of farmers and project-affected communities in the region. Protesters argue that the late leader played a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of local farmers whose land was acquired for various major infrastructure projects in the Navi Mumbai region.
The protesters warned that if their demand remains unfulfilled, they will organise a march to the Maharashtra legislature on July 6 to further intensify their agitation.
