Trainer not from NDMA, held for Kovai college girl’s death

Thursday’s fatal accident has also raised questions about violation of guidelines prescribed by the authority, which allegedly are often disregarded by private institutions.

Though not associated with NDMA, G Arumugam approached colleges posing as a Central government employee by furnishing fake documents. “He claims to have done a certificate course with NDMA. But Arumugam approached colleges as a trainer from NDMA, while claiming to be authorised by the Centre to conduct mock drills. We are inquiring further,” said Coimbatore SP Pa Murthy.

Police inquiries revealed that Arumugam had been conducting similar events for college and school students across Tamil Nadu since 2011. Sources said many colleges had fallen for Arumugam’s claims of being an expert certified in disaster management by the Central government. His social media accounts have several photographs showing him delivering lectures and training both school and college students during mock drills.

“In his resume, Arumugam gave a long list of colleges, claiming to have trained students there on disaster management. Believing it, several institutions invited him to conduct awareness sessions,” said S Kala, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education. For the mock drills, Arumugam did not charge any fee from the institutions. However, he collected Rs 50 if the students who took part in the training wanted a certificate.

Perur police booked him under Sec 304 of the IPC (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder). “We are inquiring and will further book him under relevant sections for impersonation and cheating,” said the SP.

Meanwhile, expressing grief over the death of 19-year-old Logeswari from Alandurai, a II year BBA student of Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science at Virazhiyur in Narasipuram, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami announced Rs 5 lakh as solatium for her family. He has also directed the police and Education department to take stringent action against Arumugam.