Rohtak, June 25 -- Hunger strike in Chanot village, which has been ongoing for the past 40 days over a Bhakra drinking water pipeline T-joint, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as protesters barred Somesh Pandit-former president of the Haryana Sarpanch Association who is acting as a mediator-accusing him of a betrayal of trust.

The protest committee alleged that villagers were persuaded to end their hunger strike after being assured that a T-connection would be provided, only for the administration to remove it later.

Meanwhile, the villagers have announced to seek support of khap panchayats and will soon hold a meeting with the khap leaders. However, the villagers did not disclose their further course of action but said that they would...