CUDDALORE FEB. 3. The Tamizhar Desiya Iyakkam (TDI) leader, P. Nedumaran, who had been detained under POTA for his alleged pro-LTTE remarks, was admitted to the intensive coronary care unit (ICCU) at the district government headquarters hospital here following complaints of vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever.
The RMO of the hospital, S. Narayanasamy, said Mr. Nedumaran was admitted to the ICCU around 2.45 p.m. in view of the fact that the latter had been suffering from diabetes and coronary heart disease and taking regular treatment at the hospital in the central prison here.
Since he was unable to take food orally, the prison medical officer referred the TDI leader to the district headquarters hospital for further investigation and treatment, he said, adding all necessary tests including ECG and blood investigation were conducted.
“His blood sugar was considerably low indicating that he was suffering from dehydration.”
Mr.Nedumaran was admitted to the ICCU for treatment, close monitoring and security reasons, he pointed out. A medical team had been formed to monitor his health round-the-clock and paramedical staff posted at the ward.
When Mr.Nedumaran was brought to the district headquarters hospital, he was running 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature became normal in the evening. His BP and pulse rate were also monitored. The vomiting stopped, Dr.Narayanasamy said. He would be kept in the hospital for the next 48 hours for observation, he added.
“As he is a diabetic, frequent travel to appear before courts in different places and taking altered diet and water might have caused enteric infection’, he opined.
Meanwhile, two rights activists, P. Kalyani and G. Sugumaran, treaurer and secretary respectively of the Federation of Peoples Rights-Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, in a statement here urged the State government to “withdraw all the cases against Mr.Nedumaran, who had undergone heart surgery, and other POTA detenues.” They also demanded their immediate release “on humanitarian grounds.” They appealed to the political parties and movements in the State to voice the demand with a view to protecting human rights.
The Hindu / 04.02.2003.
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