Coimbatore, Feb. 2 : Hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamils, who have taken refuge in India, went on a hunger strike on Monday here, demanding an intervention from the Central Government on the issue of the military offensive being carried out on the hideouts of the rebels in Sri Lanka.

The agitating people also threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the Government does not respond to their demands.

"We are staging this hunger strike and we demand the Indian government to intervene and take appropriate steps to stop the war in Sri Lanka. Still if the Indian government takes no notice of us, then we will go on an indefinite hunger strike to make our voices heard," said Xavier, a Sri Lankan refugee.

Meanwhile, all colleges and other educational institutions remained closed in the state in response to the State Government's decision to order an indefinite closure of educational institutions.

Several students and regional political parties have been staging protests all over the state over the Sri Lanka issue forcing the State Government to announce a closure of the educational institutions.

India has been demanding protection and a safe passage for the Tamils who are trapped in the war between the Sri Lankan army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). (ANI)