Nearly a thousand people laid siege of the Tirupur District collectorate by forming a human chain even as the indefinite fast launched by 24 persons, demanding immediate implementation of Avanashi-Athikkadavu scheme at two places, entered its fifth day today.

The fast, being observed at two places – Avinashi in Tirupur district, and Annur in Coimbatore district – seeks implementation of the long-pending Groundwater Recharge Project, which will benefit three districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode.

With the health conditions of the fasting protesters worsening, the police first shifted them to the nearby marriage hall, after which they were all taken to the Government Hospital. But the agitators refused to step out of the vehicle and were taken back to their protest sites, where 700 other persons have launched relay hunger strike.

Meanwhile, this afternoon, about 1,000 persons, including 450 women, formed a human chain around the office of the district collector in Tirupur, seeking implementation of the project. The officials and the collector were unable to come out of the building.

Police have been brought in to prevent any untoward incident.