Kalimpong, Feb. 25: Two of the 29 Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters taking part in a fast-unto-death in front of the subdivisional office here fell critically ill today.

The two youths, Saroj Basnet (25) and Suman Pradhan (19), are being given oxygen at the site of the hunger strike.

P.T. Sherpa, the subdivisional officer (SDO) of Kalimpong, said Basnet has been on fast since February 17, when the latest round of the indefinite hunger strike began. Pradhan, on the other hand, joined the fasting protesters on February 19.

Seven others need urgent medical attention, but are refusing treatment.

“We have 10 ambulances at our disposal, including two that arrived from Siliguri today, to meet any eventuality,” Sherpa said.

The scene at the subdivisional office was charged with emotion as Morcha supporters kept visiting the place in droves to express their solidarity with those on fast.

“We met the SDO and impressed upon him the need to set up a temporary hospital to treat the protesters, but only if they are willing,” said Norden Lama, the Kalimpong branch president of the ABGL, an important opposition party in the hills.

The administration has already employed a huge contingent of medical staff at the spot. The superintendent of Kalimpong Subdivisional Hospital, S.R. Pradhan, is supervising the arrangement.

“We are working round the clock because the situation can turn critical anytime,” Pradhan told The Telegraph.

In the afternoon, the women’s wing of the Morcha gheraoed the Hilltop residence of Dawa Pakhrin, the Kalimpong branch president of the GNLF, for continuing to speak in favour of the Sixth Schedule status.

They also took out a procession through the main thoroughfares of the town, shouting slogans in favour of Gorkhaland.