Sathya Sai Baba critical, doctors making last ditch efforts

The condition of godman Sathya Sai Baba continued to deteriorate further on Thursday. Revenue Minister Raghuveera Reddy, who held discussions with doctors treating him, later told media persons that Sai Baba was highly critical and doctors are making their last ditch efforts bad. "His health condition's ion is really bad. All the vital organs are affected.

Doctors are making their last ditch efforts to revive him,” the minister, who hails from Anantapur district (Puttaparthi is part of the district) and is one of the two ministers deputed by government to coordinate the treatment of Sathya Sai, said.

The Minister pointed out that the doctors are doing all they can but “you have to appreciate that he is 85 years old and age is not on his side’. The minister also briefed the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy about the development.

Soon after the Chief minister convened a high-level meeting of officials to discuss the emerging situation. The Director General Police Arvind Rao and Chief secretary SV Prasad attended the meeting.

It was decided to tighten security in Puttaparthi town (with population of 26000) keeping in view the large number of devotees who are expected to reach today and tomorrow. Hundreds of devotees have already reached the small town by bus, train and whatever means and offered prayers seeking Sai Baba`s recovery.

Police have imposed prohibitory orders in the area and erected check post in all entry and exit points from the town and all visitors are being checked. Prohibitory orders have been imposed under section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, banning assembly of five or more persons in the town.

Official sources at Hyderabad said that Industry Minister Geeta Reddy, Principal secretary Subrahmanyam were camping in the hospital. The district magistrate and Superintendent of police were also camping in the town.

Meanwhile the members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, the apex body controlling the vast empire have arrived in Puttaparthi for an emergency meeting. The meeting is expected to discuss various issues including sucession.