Maoists give up 'hunger strike'

Four maoists, on a 'hunger strike' in the Central Prison here for more than a fortnight pressing various demands, today withdrew their agitation following an appeal by a group of rights activists and intellectuals.
Rupesh, his wife Shyna, Anoop and Veeramani, arrested in connection with various cases, were on the hunger strike in the prison demanding that they be treated as political prisoners. They also sought revocation of their detention under the National Security Act.
Appealing to the Maoists to give up the protest, a host of human rights activists and intellectuals, including writer Arundhati Roy, economist Prabhat Patnaik, assured to take up their "struggle forward", following which the four ended their agitation, Kesavan, one of the advocates appearing for the maosits, told reporters.

Roopesh, wanted in at least 20 cases in Kerala, and his wife Shyna and three others, were arrested last month from Karumathampatti near here in a joint operation by Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu police.
They were detained under the NSA on July 18 following which the four maoists were on the protest in the prison.