The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Call to reopen Annamalai varsity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 25, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Call to reopen Annamalai varsity

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 24 . Various organisations have demanded immediate re-opening of Annamalai University, which remained closed after the death of G. Sivasakthi, a student.

In a statement, the Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, S. Ramadoss, called for creating a conducive atmosphere for re-opening the university. Students, considering the welfare of their future, should cooperate with the university for the return of normality.

He described as "unfortunate" violent incidents that took place on the premises of the university, particularly the residence of the Vice-Chancellor. The police should not have used force, he said.

The State units of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), however, demanded the release of eight students, who were arrested in connection with the violence, and the withdrawal of cases against the students.

Condemning the police action against the students, the SFI secretary, L. Shanmugasundaram, said the incidents would not have occurred, if Sivasakthi was provided proper medical treatment, or if it had been announced that justice would be done after a proper enquiry. Students of the university did not have any democratic right. Election to the students' forum should be held democratically, and talks should be held with the students, he said.

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