The protest fast to implement the Avinashi - Athikadavu drinking water project entered the fifth day on Friday.
The protest gathered pace as leaders from various political parties have been visiting the protest site and expressing solidarity with the agitators. After Tamil Nadu Congress committee president E V KS Elangovan and BJP state president Tamilisai Sounderrajan visited Avinashi to extend their support, actor politician Sarath Kumar met the protesters and gave his support.
The 50-year-old demand by residents of Avinashi and surrounding villages gathered pace a few days ago when 14 people began an indefinite fast. Though police arrested them and brought them to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for treatment, they refused medical attention and resumed their fast at Avinashi. The protesters said the project was the only solution to end the water woes of the region. According to the proposal, water from river Bhavani would be drawn from Athikadavu and supplied to Avinashi. If the project materializes, more than 15000 acres would be irrigated and about 48 tanks would be filled besides 213 smaller ponds, said the protesters.
MDMK leader Vaiko and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan spoke to the agitators over phone and supported their cause. Most shop keepers in Avinashi downed shutters and residents of several villages had hoisted black flags atop their houses.
The protest gathered pace as leaders from various political parties have been visiting the protest site and expressing solidarity with the agitators. After Tamil Nadu Congress committee president E V KS Elangovan and BJP state president Tamilisai Sounderrajan visited Avinashi to extend their support, actor politician Sarath Kumar met the protesters and gave his support.
The 50-year-old demand by residents of Avinashi and surrounding villages gathered pace a few days ago when 14 people began an indefinite fast. Though police arrested them and brought them to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for treatment, they refused medical attention and resumed their fast at Avinashi. The protesters said the project was the only solution to end the water woes of the region. According to the proposal, water from river Bhavani would be drawn from Athikadavu and supplied to Avinashi. If the project materializes, more than 15000 acres would be irrigated and about 48 tanks would be filled besides 213 smaller ponds, said the protesters.
MDMK leader Vaiko and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan spoke to the agitators over phone and supported their cause. Most shop keepers in Avinashi downed shutters and residents of several villages had hoisted black flags atop their houses.