Cong MLAs fast against attacks on professional colleges

Thiruvananthapuram, July 21 (UNI) Congress MLAs in Kerala today observed a fast in front the state Secretariat in protest against the alleged attacks on self-financing colleges by the pro-CPI(M) Students Federation of India (SFI).

Inaugurating the fast, Pradesh Congress president Ramesh Chennithala said the government should settle the issue amicably instead of filing appeals in the High Court.

He also asked the Managements of the professional colleges to cooperate with the state government.

Stating that CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat should apologise for the pre-planned attacks on self-financing colleges in the state, he alleged that the CPI(M) leadership did not take any step to control the atrocities by its student union, as all the incidents took place while a meeting of that party was going on here under the presidentship of Mr Karat.

However, the KPCC president said the Congress would never justify the capitation fee system. If any such institution was found to be accepting capitation fee, the LDF government should take stringent action against them, he added.

Speaking on the occassion, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said the government should take initiatives to settle the self-financing college issue through discussions with the managements.

Mr Chandy alleged that the attacks were pre-planned and there was a conspiracy behind it.

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