Groundwater Recharge project: Protesters besiege Collectorate

The indefinite fast by 24 persons seeking immediate implementation of Avanashi-Athikkadavu scheme, a ground water recharge project, entered the fifth day today, even as nearly 1,000 people laid siege to Tirupur district collectorate by forming a human chain.
The fast is being observed in Avanashi and Annur demanding implementation of the long pending Groundwater Recharge Project, which would benefit three districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode.
As the people who were fasting appeared fatigued, police took them to a marriage hall, where they continued their hunger strike, following which they were taken to the Government Hospital here.
However, the agitators refused to alight from the vehicles and were taken back to their respective venue of agitation, police said.

Meanwhile, about 1,000 people including 450 women, formed human chain around the office of the district collectorate in Tirupur, seeking implementation of the project, police said.
The protesters raised slogans in support of their demand, they added.
Dequate number of police have been deployed at the premises, to prevent any untoward incidents.