Jose K Mani on indefinite fast hospitalized

Kottayam: Kerala Congress (Mani) leader Jose K Mani, MP, on an indefinite fast over the crisis in rubber sector, was Saturday forcibly evicted and hospitalised as his health deteriorated on the sixth day of his stir.

Police said they used force to remove party workers when they blocked the authorities from taking the Lok Sabha MP, son of KC(M) supremo K M Mani, forcefully to the Medical College Hospital here.

Earlier, a medical team examined Mani gave a report to District Collector stating that his health was deteriorating fast, prompting the the district administration to shift him.

He was on the fast in front of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi with a number of farmers demanding the urgent intervention of the Centre in ending the farm sector crisis, particularly the problems faced by rubber growers due to falling prices.

Meanwhile, K M Mani said his party would continue its struggle against falling prices of rubber.

The party's major demands also include Rs 500 crore allocation from Central Price Stabilisation Fund to grant subsidy to thousands of farmers who are completely dependent on rubber for their livelihood in the state.

He has also sought a complete reorganisation of rubber board and waiving tax on rubber farmers till the product gets a reasonable price.