Kerala   

Muriyad: another leader on fast

Thrissur: P.C. Antony, president of the Kole Karshaka Sanghom and committee member of ‘Karshaka Munnettam,’ an agitation launched by the Muriyad Kayal Krishi Samrakshana Samithi, began an indefinite hunger strike at Thommana, near here, on Friday.

The agitators were demanding steps to make 7,000 acres of paddy fields in Muriyad cultivable. The farmers alleged that illegal sand-mining destroyed paddy fields. The police arrested and forcibly hospitalised Varghese Thoduparambil, chief organiser of Munnettam, on Thursday night after 10 days of hunger strike. Varghese continued his hunger strike in the hospital.

The government will hold a meeting with the agitators on Saturday. Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran would take part. Writers Sukumar Azhikode and Sara Joseph were also invited to the meeting.

Meanwhile, Mr.Varghese Thoduparambil showed interest in attending the meeting. “If I am not allowed, the imbroglio will continue,” he said.

District Collector M. Beena said she would take a decision on allowing Mr. Varghese to attend the meeting after consulting the Superintendent of Police and the District Medical Officer.

Meanwhile, supporters of the agitation formed a solidarity committee at a meeting here on Friday. The committee included members of the Karshaka Congress, Karshaka Morcha, Kerala Karshaka Thozhilali Union, Solidarity, CPI(ML), Vellani Janakeeya Samithi, Yuvajana Vedi, River Protection Forum, PUCL, Social Action Forum, Janata Dal (U), BSP, KCYM, Plachimada Solidarity Council, Keraleeyam, Swadesi Jagram Manch and the Sarvodaya Sanghom Members of the committee will observe a relay hunger strike from Saturday.

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