Police resort to lathicharge to stop rampaging students

Chennai, Oct 15 (UNI) Students of the Presidency College on the Marina today went on a rampage, ransacked the Principal's room, pelted stones, forcing the police to resort to a lathicharge.

Police sources told UNI that the failure of the college management to secure the release of two students arrested following a clash with their counterparts in Pachiayappa's college two days back, was stated to be the reason for the student's provocative action.

Tension gripped the college premises since this morning as the students, after ransacking the Principal's room, hit the streets and indulged in stone pelting.

Some photo journalists, two cops and six students suffered minor injuries and traffic on the busy road was affected for nearly an hour. Sensing trouble, police diverted the traffic to the arterial road.

It all started when the students assembled in front of principal's room and persisted with their demand that the college management step in and get the duo released.

But the college principal put his foot down firmly saying the incident had occurred outside the college premises and the police had proceeded legally.

When the Principal washed his hands off the issue saying he could not do anything, the incensed students went on the rampage.

They damaged the furniture and window panes. As situation threatened to turn worse, police were called in to ease the situation.

On seeing the police, the students pelted stones at them, injuring some policemen and also some press photographers.

Police resorted to a mild lathicharge in which six students were injured.

After nearly an hour's action, the situation returned to normal. Heavy police pickets were posted to prevent any untoward incident.

UNI