Effingham hunger strike call off is no celebration

Demanding the return of three acres of land which sits adjacent to the SJK (T) Ladang Effingham in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, which the BN component party MIC alienated for the construction of a students hostel, the chairperson of the Return Effingham Land Action Team (Reflax) Manivanan Gowin in his moment of calling off the hunger strike said that the strike is terminated with 3 conditions.

Firstly, the call off is not because of the success of the strike and will not be celebrated.

Secondly, they appreciate the support of many organisations and also the requests from Nurul and Ambiga and many others to call off the hunger strike.

Finally, the MIC leaders has informed them that they will take up the case to the CWC meeting in June and if the outcome is not given, the hunger strike will continue.

Manivanan added that at the start there were pressure from the authorities to dismantle the tents. After 12 hours of negotiations with the authorities, they agreed to one tent being put up and one summon was issued.

On May 22, 2012 Manivanan went to the police with a letter seeking protection. The police did a good job of providing security.

The hunger strike ended at about 1.30pm yesterday after the last 2 protesters left in an ambulance.

Related stories: Selangor Exco wants MIC to return Effingham land

Video by, Vijay Kumar Rahman, Citizen Journalist.