Even as the indefinite hunger strike by 14 persons, entered the eight day today, nearly 1,000 people laid siege of the district collectorate in Tirupur, demanding immediate implementation of the Avanashi-Athikadavu Ground Water Recharge scheme.

With no response coming from the government, protesters, including farmers and traders, surrounded the collectorate this afternoon. Holding black flags, they raised slogans in support of their long-pending demand, which they claimed would benefit three districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode.

The agitators were also holding ration cards and voters ID cards, in order to return them if there was no positive response from the authorities. Senior police officials are negotiating with them.

Meanwhile, five of the 10 persons who are on indefinite fast for the past seven days in Annur, appeared to be fatigued and are undergoing treatment in the tents, police said.