Anitha’s fight was for all rural students, say agitating villagers

Anitha, daughter of a daily labourer is said to have taken the extreme step after failing to secure a medical seat, depsite scoring 1176 out of 1200 in Class 12 board examination. In Ariyalur, villagers staged a roadblock at Kuzhumur on Friday evening.

The villagers, along with the members of various political parties who gathered in the arterial roads of Senthurai, raised slogans against both the state and central governments.

They blocked the movement of vehicles and demanded the state government step down owning up moral responsibility for the suicide of Anitha.

A police team, led by the Superintendent of Police, Abinav Kumar, rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters. The public however accused the state government of failing to initiate any action for the welfare of the people and therefore, should step down. They also stated that Anitha was not only fighting for herself but also for the entire rural students, whose dreams of becoming doctors have been shattered.

Later, the SP held talks with the agitating people and after an hour, the people dispersed from the spot.

However, political parties have called for a strike in Ariyalur, while traders have said they will down shutters.

Read More: Victim’s siblings also good at studies

Meanwhile, the body of Anitha was taken to Ariyalur GH for postmortem and her brothers and relatives accompanied the body.

News over the suicide of Dalit MBBS aspirant Anitha of Ariyalur spread fast like wildfire in Western Tamil Nadu also attracting strong protests condemning the State and Union Governments. Protesters held the governments responsible for shattering the dreams of MBBS aspirants from state board stream with confusing statements against NEET and giving hope for those like Anitha.

In the city, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadres burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Thiruvalluvar Bus Stand. The police arrested 11 persons for their involvement in the incident.

Members of the Campus Front of India tried to stage rail roko at the Coimbatore Junction. Tension prevailed at many public places. Police personnel were on high alert , apprehending that there could be stronger protests on Saturday.