violence in city college - Presidency college Chennai

On the Teachers’ Day, while we remember the sincerity and dedication of the teachers who taught us, people tend to comment that the standards as also the commitment levels have come down !

You mostly likely would have ignored this news – which mentioned of the uneasy calm that prevailed  at the City college on Friday morning where student elections took place amid tight security. A few hours later, a few students 'celebrated' their place on the council by climbing atop buses, while others rushed out claiming the polls had been rigged.  All were relieved that  the elections went off smoothly, though some students were found drunk. It was further stated that in a departure from electing students travelling by a particular bus route to and from college, most of the winners this year were 'non-bus route candidates'. 

Perhaps that peace was too short lived as yesterday Police recovered a cache of lethal weapons from the Presidency College campus on Kamarajar Salai.  Newspapers report that following specific information received, a team of police officials inspected parts of the campus around 11 a. m. and unearthed long knives, iron rods and a penknife hidden amidst bushes and trees on the front section of the campus. It is suspected that either a few students or outside miscreants hid the weapons on the premises, in order to create a ruckus when the college reopened after its student elections.  A large posse of police personnel have been posted at the college this morning in order to prevent any potential disruptions of law and order, as this will be the first day the of college reopening after the recently concluded elections.

Photo of weapons seized – courtesy ‘the Hindu’

Some sources stated that  there is a strong possibility of violence erupting among students once they return for classes as the  supporters of the candidate who lost the elections are outraged, and will possibly retaliate.  The Triplicane police havent registered a case against the students in connection with the recovery of weapons on Tuesday.  Police recently arrested 32 students of Presidency College for possession of weapons near Central railway. Police said they had come to the station to attack a rival group.Subsequently,the college remained closed for five days.

Presidency College is one of the oldest Educational Institutions, an arts, law and science college established  as the Madras Preparatory School on October 15, 1840 and later, upgraded to a high school and then, graduate college.  Its history dates back to the days of colonial rule to Sir Thomas Munro whose statue on a horse is seen near the island grounds.  It first operated in a rented building in Egmore known as Edinburgh Home and moved the present picturesque premises in 1870.  The College was granted autonomy in 1987.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.