College student commits suicide fearing police action

Chennai, Oct 17 (UNI) Two days after the police lathi charge on the campus of Presidency College on Marina, a second year student of the college committed suicide by hanging late last night.

The main opposition AIADMK, which demanded a judicial probe into the police excesses on the students, claimed that the second year Political Science student Ganesh alias Anand took the extreme step fearing police action.

However, police and sources close to the victim, said Ganesh had ended his life by hanging due to a family dispute.

AIADMK Presidium Chairman E Madhusoodhanan and other party members paid homage to the body of Ganesh by placing a wreath as per the instructions from the party high command.

Meanwhile, activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) led by its Secretary Selva staged a slogan shouting demonstration demanding action against the police personnel involved in the attack on the students.

They also demanded immediate release of the arrested students.

On Monday, a group of students assembled in front of the Principal's room and demanded his intervention to secure the release of two students, who were arrested by the police in connection with a clash with a student from another college.

As the Principal said nothing could be done as police had acted as per law, the students gave vent to their ire and ransacked his room. They also indulged in stone throwing following which police rushed to the spot and resorted to a lathi charge.

Meanwhile, AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa condemned the police action and demanded a judicial inquiry into the violent incidents inside the college premises.

''Apart from conducting judicial enquiry, all the police personnel involved in the incident should be suspended,'' she said.

''I was also distressed to learn that a student committed suicide fearing that police would register false case against him,'' Ms Jayalalithaa said, adding that the state government should ensure proper justice to the students.

UNI