Hogenakkal issue: Kollywood to observe fast

Chennai, Apr 1 (UNI) The Tamil film industry will observe a token fast on April four in the city to condemn the attack on Tamils by pro-Kannada outfits in Karnataka on the Hogenakkal issue.

A decision to this effect was taken at the emergency meeting of the Tamil Films Producers' Council, held here today.

The meeting also decided to stage a demonstration at Hosur on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. However, the date for the demonstration would be announced later.

The meeting condemned the attack on nine cinemas screening Tamil films in Karnataka yesterday in protest against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's remarks that the Hogenakkal integrated drinking water project would be implemented at any cost.

The meeting was attended by Producers Council President Rama Narayanan and Vice-President Sivasakthi Pandian, among others.

On behalf of the actors' association, veteran actors Vijayakumar and Sathyaraj participated in the meeting and extended their support to the decision.

It may be recalled that thousands of personalities from the Tamil tinselville had taken out a massive procession in Neyveli on October 12, 2002, demanding immediate release of Cauvery water by the Karnataka Government and stoppage of power supply to that State from the thermal power station. Tamil matinee idol Rajnikant, hailing from Karnataka, had observed a fast in Chennai the following day for the same cause.

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