Fasting Lankan refugee arrested in TN
Sri Lankan national and Poonamallee Special Refugee Camp inmate Senthuran, who had been fasting for the past 27 days seeking the closure of special camps in the State, was arrested on Friday night after he fell unconscious. He also reportedly gave up his fast following assurances from the Tamil Nadu State government.
Sources said he was produced before a Magistrate in Poonamallee who remanded him to judicial custody.
Senthuran began his fast on August 6 after he was shifted to the Poonamallee Camp from Chengalpattu. For the past 13 days, he even shunned water.
Around 4.30 pm on Friday, Senthuran fainted and was then carried to the room of a camp official. Around 6.30 pm, a 108 ambulance came into the campus and gave first aid to Senthuran. “Other inmates in the camp insisted that Senthuran be rushed to hospital since he fell unconscious. The officials kept assuring that they would send him to hospital, but did not do so,” one of the inmates told Express. Soon, news spread that Senthuran would be admitted to the Government Royapettah Hospital. On hearing this, MDMK chief Vaiko and film director Pugazhendhi Thangaraj waited for Senthuran’s arrival at the hospital from 10 pm, even as the news of the vehicle leaving the Special Camp was relayed to them. Around midnight, news of Senthuran being lodged in Puzhal Prison after being remanded by a Magistrate was conveyed.
Senthuran reportedly withdrew his indefinite fast here on Saturday following certain assurances made by the State government officials, sources said. (ENS)