Maoist leader Roopesh continues fast in jail

Coimbatore: Maoist leader Roopesh, wanted in at least 20 cases in Kerala, continued his fast in the central prison here demanding withdrawal of "the falses cases foisted on him by the neighbouring state.

Roopesh, wanted in 20 cases in Kerala, his wife Shyna, Anoop, Kannan and Eswaran were arrested from Karumathapatti on the outskirts of the city in the first week of May.

They were lodged in Central jail here and have often been taken from here to Kerala in connection with various cases.

Alleging that Kerala police was unnecessary involving him in many cases, Roopesh, began his fast on July 25 in Kerala prisons, which entered the ninth day today, police said.

He was brought and lodged in the jail here four days ago and continued his hunger strike here also, they said.

He wanted him to be treated as a political prisoner and also allow to read and write in the cell, police said.

While the doctors are attending to him to examine the health condition, the jail officials are negotiating with him to end the hunger strike.