BJP’s Bihpur MLA Sailendra Kumar ended his fast-unto-death on Tuesday evening after chief engineer of the water resources department promised him in writing to start anti-erosion work at Mircha Ratanpura village soon.

The party’s Bhagalpur district unit said their leader Sailendra has set a record for the cause of the villagers by risking his life. His health condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening.

The party workers also condemned the attitude of the district officials because except junior officials such as the block development official and the circle official of Kharik, not a single senior officer visited the site where he was fasting.

Lakshman Ram, the chief engineer of the water resources department, in his letter addressed to Sailendra on Tuesday evening, stated that the proposal of anti-erosion works has been accepted by the technical consultant committee of the water resources department and the anti-erosion work would be started to save Mircha Ratanpura village.

The proposal was earlier prepared by the executive engineer of the flood control division of Naugachia and was subsequently rejected.

“Despite the deteriorating health condition and repeated requests from my well-wishers, I was adamant not to end the fast till I get a written assurance from official concerned of the department. But when I received a letter from the chief engineer of the water resources department, I was assured that the locality would now be saved and I ended my fast-unto-death,” he told The Telegraph.

Banti Singh, the mukhiya of Bhawanpura panchayat, who also took part in the hunger strike with Sailendra, said: “The people of the area were mobilised and everyone supported Sailendra’s stand. The government has to respect the voice of the people and we are thankful to Sailendra, who fought for the cause of the poor,” he said.

Singh also thanked Sailendra for his contribution in saving the bridge over Kosi from Chorhar Ghat to Bhawanpura Ghat, which is under construction.

Villagers heaved a sigh of relief with the assurance from the department to start anti-erosion works.

“Half of my orchard has already been engulfed by the Kosi. Livelihood of my family depends on the orchard. Now, I hope the remaining half of the orchard would not disappear into the riverbed,” said Sahadeo Mandal, a native of Mircha village.