THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indefinite hunger strike by the All Kerala LPST Rank Holders Association outside the Secretariat ended after the protesters held discussions with Kerala education minister N Samsudheen.Association secretary S Valarmathi, who had been on hunger strike, said the government had sought 45 days to examine their demands.She ended her hunger strike after the meeting, while the larger protest will continue outside the Secretariat.Speaking to ANI, Valarmathi said, “Today is the 37th day of the protest. It is also the 13th day of the hunger strike. I am very disappointed that the government delayed the talks for so many days. However, I am happy that today’s discussion with the government ended on a positive note.”“I ended my hunger strike today. The minister gave me water, and I drank it. The government has asked for 45 days to examine our demands. I believe that the issues will be resolved in our favour by September 24,” she added.Valarmathi said the protest would continue in front of the Secretariat despite the hunger strike being called off.“Although I have ended the hunger strike, the protest will continue in front of the Secretariat. However, there will be no slogan shouting or demonstrations as part of the protest,” she said.Following the discussions, Valarmathi was shifted to a hospital in an ambulance.BJP state vice-president Shone George, BJP state general secretary Anoop Antony Joseph and DYFI state secretary VK Sanoj, among others, visited the protest venue and met Valarmathi.
Protest enters 37th day
The LPST rank holders had intensified their agitation over their demands related to appointments from the rank list.The protesters had been holding demonstrations outside the Secretariat, with the hunger strike forming part of their escalating agitation.The association had earlier intensified its protest after alleging delays in appointments and seeking action from the state government on their demands.With Valarmathi ending her 13-day hunger strike, the association has now decided to continue its protest outside the Secretariat but without slogan-shouting or demonstrations until the government examines its demands.
