EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE, MADURAI, MARCH 20
FACULTY members of American College opposing Bishop Christopher Asir have decided to continue the hunger strike after the students were arrested by the police.
In an interaction with the media persons here on Saturday, Professors, P. Kumarasamy, Winfred Thomas, Alegesan and Prabakar said that the faculty members will start the stir from Monday seeking the arrest of Principal-in-Charge Mohan, Thavamani Christopher, Stephen, Aruldas, Arul Arasu who had instigated violence on the students (non-teaching staff) and Faculty members who were fasting in the college campus on March 14.
They also sought the arrest of (former) students Praveen, Selvam and Gnanadurai who were identified as having lead the attack. Among them Praveen and Selvam expelled from the college earlier but they were still inside the premises, the professors charged.
False cases have been filed on thirty students who were fasting in the premises and the police should withdraw them. Filing complaints on both sides is like conducting kangaroo courts. Instead of taking action against the aggressors, cases have been filed on the innocent victims. Hence, the police should withdraw the cases, they pressed.
Further, the faculty members sought the government to transfer Tallakulam Inspector ChidambaraMurugesan and Sub-Inspectors Dhanushkodi and Kamaraj who failed to protect the students during the attack. Their attitude appears to be biased and these police men have been threatening the faculty and students who were agitating in a peaceful manner. If these police men continue in this station, then justice will not be served, the professors stated.
Further, the cases filed on Bishop and his son-in-law Thavamani Christopher and his supporters at the Tallakulam police station should be transferred to CB-CID. A high level committee appointed by the State government should commence its probe without any further delay, the professors pressed.
"Initially, we will start with the relay hunger strike and if government fails to take any action, we will turn it into fast-unto-death", the professors said.
STUDENTS ON INDEFINITE FAST ARRESTED:
Seven students fasting unto death who were taken into police custody and admitted to GRH were arrested by police on Saturday evening (around 9pm). Among them, Vijay, Manikandan and Ajish were taken to Melur prison. According to faculty members who went to visit them, the students withdrew their fast after one of them felt severe discomfort (that particular student was severely injured when stone thrown at him hit his stomach on 14th March, inspite of it he continued fasting).
The students were taken to hospital in the name of treatment, though they appeared stable and police have not produced documents required to take students to custody.
Later, in the hospital, they were intimidated by police, forcing them to eat and abondon their strike (if not, the students were threatened that they will be taken to Pudukkottai prison, a student said). It was said that the police have filed cases on students for possession of weapon during their hunger strike and attempt to suicide (atrocious!). Only after the intervention of people's watch, tthe police prepared the documents , the faculty members said. In short, the police consider the struggle of students as mere nuisance and subdue them to favour the Bishop the faculty charged.
The faculty also pointed out that the students (& thugs a total of 4) who were arrested for indulging in violence, were taken by the police to Vadamalayan Hospital and then let them on bail. Whereas students who were on peaceful hunger strike are being treated as criminals, they charged.
Police consider the struggle of students as mere nuisance and subdue them to favour the Bishop.
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