Peace talks hit roadblock

TIRUNELVELI: As the indefinite hunger protest demanding the shutdown of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project entered its fifth day at Idinthakarai in Tirunelveli district on Thursday, the peace talks held between the protesters and three ministers at Radhapuram failed.Pressing the demand, 127 people have been staging hunger protest in front of Lourde Matha Church at Idinthakarai since Sunday. The protest continued for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday. Radhapuram DMDK MLA Michael Rayappan participated in the protest.  The health of 20  protesters is said to have turned worse. Among them, four of them complained of dehydration, a doctor said.Ministers S T Chellapandian, P Chendur Pandian and S P Shanmuganathan, besides officials, took part in the talks. Even after hours of talks, no plausible solution could be reached.The ministers assured the protestors an audience with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, if they gave up their agitation.Meanwhile, the MDMK at its open area conference in Tirunelveli passed many resolutions,  including the one to shut down Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project, were passed.