Mild tension as cops cane college students during stir

On Tuesday, students of Madurai Government Law College staged a protest inside the college. They shouted slogans against the state government for the hike in bus ticket fare. Similarly, students of Sacred Hearts College in Natham Road in Dindigul staged a road roko. 

Students of St Jude’s College at Thoothoor in Kanniyakumari district staged a road roko at Nithiravilai junction. Similarly, students of Scott Christian College in Nagercoil too staged a protest in front of their college. However, when students of Mannar Thirumalai Nayakar College in Madurai staged a protest in front of their college, they were caned by the police and dragged on to the road. Members of the CPM staged a road roko near the Periyar bus stand and 158 members were taken into custody.  

Nearly 500 students of the Muthurangam Government Arts and Science college staged a sit-in protest demanding the government to roll back the hike in bus fare, on Tuesday. When students initially tried to block the road in a bid to air their grievance, officials rushed to the spot and held talks. But, students boycotted classes and continued the stir. It is said they irked by the steep hike. 

Private bus operators complained that conductors were forced to bear the brunt of public ire as many passengers, especially those from low income groups, quarrelled with the crew over the hike in fare. Vellore law college students blocked the road at Katpadi and nearly 500 women students of Guidyattam Government Arts and Science College staged a sit in.