Condition of Sathya Sai Baba deteriorates: Doctors

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The condition of ailing Sathya Sai Baba deteriorated today with doctors saying that all his organs were showing poor response to treatment.

"Low blood pressure and the non-functioning of liver have become a major cause for concern. The Baba continues to be on ventilator support," Dr A.N. Safaya, Director, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Sciences, said here.

The Andhra Pradesh government, which has clamped prohibitory orders in this town and deployed additional forces, said doctors were making efforts to save the 86-year-old Baba.

"The condition of the Baba has deteriorated. Most of his organs have suffered severe damage and stopped functioning. Doctors attending on him are making attempts to save the Baba. Let us pray," state Revenue Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy told reporters in Hyderabad after a high-level meeting with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy at the Secretariat.

State Chief Secretary S V Prasad, Director General of Police K. Aravinda Rao and Additional DGP (Intelligence) M. Mahender Reddy also attended the meeting and briefed the Chief Minister about the security arrangements being made here in view of the heavy influx of devotees.

Emerging from the meeting, the DGP told reporters that they were closely monitoring the situation in Puttaparthi.

“We should not create confusion unnecessarily by mobilising additional forces. We have sent 1000 police personnel for security in Puttaparthi and shall send more forces when required," Aravinda Rao said.

Police sources said tight security arrangements have been made at the airport in Puttaparthi apart from Prasanthi Nilayam, the residence of Baba, and Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences where he is undergoing treatment.

Prohibitory orders were clamped here as thousands of devotees started descending on the town with the condition of the Baba deteriorating.

More than 2000 police officers and men have been deployed here.

State Major Industries Minister J. Geeta Reddy, Anantapur district Collector B. Janardhana Reddy and Deputy Inspector General of Police Charu Sinha, who are camping here, reviewed the Baba's health condition this morning with SSIHMS director.

They also reviewed the law and order situation and the measures being implemented for crowd control in any eventuality.

Shops in the vicinity of SSIHMS have been shut down as a precautionary measure, a senior police officer said.

Anantapur district Superintendent of Police Shahnawaz Qasim is personally monitoring the security arrangements.

Meanwhile, members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust held a meeting here to discuss the Trust's affairs in the wake of the Baba's deteriorating health.

Principal Secretary (Finance) L.V. Subrahmanyam is also taking part in the meeting, sources said.

The Baba was admitted to the hospital on March 28 following problems related to the heart and respiration.