Woman student held under Goondas Act on 'fast' in prison

Valarmathi, charged with distributing phamplets against central government initiatives such as the hydrocarbon project in Neduvasal and ONGC exploration in Kathiramangalam, was staging the protest in the prison demanding withdrawal of these projects.

A journalism student of Periyar University in Salem, about 160 km from Coimbatore, Valarmathi was arrested on July 12 for allegedly instigating students to support the ongoing protests by locals against the projects. She was lodged in the prison after a Salem court remanded her to judicial remand.

She was later detained under the stringent Goondas Act with the police alleging that the phamphlets contained slogans harmful to the interests of the nation, a move condemned by several opposition parties and forums.

The student suddenly announced her decision to observe "hunger strike" from today demanding immediate withdrawal of the projects and also revocation of her Goondas Act detention, police said.

Valarmathi refused to take food in the morning and afternoon, they said.