City police to crack down on ‘route thalas’ with peace bond

With the latest clash between two groups of Pachaiyappa’s College students on Tuesday drawing national attention, Joint Commissioner (East) R Sudhakar held talks with principals of Presidency College, Pachaiyappa’s College and New College in his office on Thursday.

Later, speaking to the media, Sudhakar said they have identified 90 ‘route thalas’ from these three colleges, who would be counselled in the presence of their parents on Monday. The police have also identified six bus routes where clashes took place often, and have instructed the MTC crew to report to them directly if they see any signs of violence among students.

As the Principals have complained that the main reason behind the clashes was the former students who instigated these students, steps have been taken to identify them as well. If they are found guilty of leading the students to violence, severe action would be taken, said an officer.

“If the current students are caught for violence, they will be restrained under peace bond under Section 110 of CrPC (usually used to restrict the activities of habitual offenders). If they continue even after that, criminal action will be initiated,” the officer added.

Meanwhile, a special police teamhas nabbed two more students inconnection with the violence on Poonamallee High Road on Tuesday. They were identified as S Saravanan (20) of Red Hills and S Akash (19) of Shenoy Nagar. They were remanded in judicial custody on Thursday.

The police had arrested S Suruthi (19) of Arani and S Madhan (24) of Periyapalayam on the day of the incident itself, while two others, M Rehman (21) of Aminjikarai and G Ravi Varma (21) of Red Hills were arrested on Wednesday. A hunt has been launched for two more students, but police did not reveal their identity.