Nedumaran's indefinite fast enters second day

Chennai, Sep 13 (UNI) The indefinite fast by Tamil Nationalist Movement (TNM) leader P Nedumaran, a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils, demanding permission for him to carry food and medicines to the suffering tamils in Sri Lanka, entered the second day today.

Mr Nedumaran, who commenced his fast at Nagapattinam yesterday after police foiled his bid to set sail for Sri Lanka in a boat with medicines and food continued it for the second day here.

He arrived from Nagapattinam this morning and continued his fast at a private place in Koyambedu area in the city, sources close to the TNM leader told UNI.

The sources also allege high-handedness on the part of police personnel, who had removed the temporary shed put up at the fasting venue and had even tried to arrest Mr Nedumaran.

The sources alleged that the police also prevented the press, especially those from the electronic media, from covering the event.

The TNM leader, along with 150 of his supporters were arrested yesterday and was later released in the evening.

The Sri Lankan government had expressed apprehension over Nedumaran's announcement that he would take food and medicines to Jaffna for distribution among the Eelam Tamils.

UNI